80 dead in Afghan suicide blast

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A bomb went off at a crowded dogfight in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Sunday killing at least 80 people, reports said.

The suicide bomber was apparently targeting militia leaders who were among the 300 dogfight spectators, the BBC reported, adding it was one of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan since 2001.

At least 50 people were injured in the blast, CNN reported.

Although no group claimed responsibility for the blast, Kandahar Gov. Assadullah Khalid called it "the work of the Taliban," the BBC said.

The Taliban claim to be on the rise across Afghanistan, extending their influence from their traditional strongholds in the country's south.