Three suicide bombers killed 24 people and wounded dozens more in an attack on a construction firm in Afghanistan's restive south-east, government officials said on Monday, with the Taliban claiming responsibility for the assault. The attackers forced their way into the company's compound in the Bermel district of volatile Paktika province on Sunday night after killing a security guard and then detonated a truck laden with explosives, the Interior Ministry said.
A statement from the office of the Paktika governor said 24 people were killed and another 53 wounded. Earlier estimates said between 13 and 20 had been killed. Paktika governor Mohebullah Sameeem said the dead and wounded included employees of the firm and other civilians. Construction crews and others working on infrastructure projects are frequently targeted by insurgents.