KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Southern Afghanistan’s violence-ravaged Helmand Province was hit by two suicide bombings Monday in which at least 26 people died, including two children.
The bombings in a market area in the Gereshk district of the province, which also has the dubious distinction of being the world’s largest poppy-growing region, left more than 50 people injured, as well, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The bombings apparently were aimed at police officers but Abdul Manaf, a district official, said the casualties included many civilians, the Post said.
The BBC, quoting Gereshk police official Fakhir Ahmad, reported the two suicide bomb attacks involved assailants who had strapped explosives to their bodies. Ahmad said he believed those killed included six police officers and guards.
Helmand has become the center of renewed Taliban insurgency this year, engaging the NATO-led forces.
The Post said the United Nations has warned Afghanistan may end up with a record number of suicide attacks this year with 103 recorded as of August, compared with 123 attacks for all of last year.
