1st LD Writethru: 3 killed in southern Afghan car bombing

At least three people were killed in a suicide car bombing in Lashkar Gah city, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, on Wednesday, an official said.

"The police personnel identified and intercepted a suicide attacker near a security checkpoint at around midday but the terrorist exploded the explosive-laden vehicle, killing himself and two civilian bystanders on the spot," a provincial police source told Xinhua anonymously.

The potential target of the attack remained unknown.

The blast also damaged several vehicles and nearby buildings.

Omar Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua that one civilian was injured by the blast in the city, some 555 km south of Kabul.

"An investigation has been launched by anti-terrorism department of provincial police and details will be made public afterwards," he said.

Since the start of this year, Taliban insurgents have intensified attacks across the country, which coincides with the potential resumption of government-Taliban peace talk and the upcoming four-nations meeting of Afghanistan, China, U.S. and Pakistan.

Earlier on Wednesday, seven security force members were killed and seven others wounded in a suicide car bombing and ensuing gunfight in Jalalabad city in eastern Nangarhar province.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold. Enditem