AFP/Kabul
A Taliban suicide attacker driving an explosives-laden van carrying goats killed nine people including five civilians in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, officials said.
The attacker targeted a joint Afghan army and police base in the Sangin district of the volatile southern province of Helmand.
"Nine people, including five civilians, two soldiers and two police were killed in the attack," provincial spokesman Omar Zhwak told AFP.
Provincial police chief Nabi Jan Mullahkhil confirmed the attack and told AFP it was carried out by a van carrying goats.
"The van tried to enter the base, but detonated at the entrance after the guards stopped it," he said.
Seven soldiers and one civilian were wounded in the attack, he said.
Taliban insurgents, who are battling an Afghan army offensive launched last month in Helmand, claimed responsibility for the attack on their website.
Last month, Afghan security forces launched their first solo offensive against the Taliban in Helmand after NATO-led combat troops ended their combat mission in late December.
A residual force is engaged on a training and support mission to Afghanistan's 350,000 security forces, who now lead the fight against the insurgents.
