A suicide bomber blew himself up among delivery vehicles parked outside an international military base in southern Afghanistan and killed eight drivers, an official said Saturday. The insurgent Taliban movement claimed responsibility for the attack about 200 metres (yards) from the base in the southern province of Helmand late Friday.
Provincial government spokesman Daud Ahmadi told AFP the attacker had entered the parking area in the Gereshk district on foot and blown himself up. Four drivers were killed and eight others wounded, he said.
"Eight tankers were set alight as well as four smaller vehicles used by the guards for the convoy," he said. The Gereshk district governor, Abdul Ahad, said later that eight drivers were killed and 21 wounded. The International Security Assistance Force which has bases across the country, with most in Helmand run by the British military, could not immediately confirm the attack.
A Taliban spokesman, Yousuf Ahmadi, said it was carried out by a Taliban militant who had been in a car. He claimed 33 guards and drivers were killed. The Taliban often exaggerate the casualties they cause. The military says however this does not affect their operations as they have reserves.
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