At least six people were killed and two others were wounded in a suicide attack close to an office of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in Washir district in the southern Helmand province, a security source told TOLOnews on Thursday.

The blast took place at around 1pm on Thursday afternoon and was carried out by a suicide bomber, the source said.

According to the source, the victims are NDS service members.

Omar Zwak, spokesman for Helmand governor, confirmed the incident but did not comment on casualties.

On Tuesday, at least six policemen were killed in an insurgent attack in Helmand.

In addition, three other policemen were wounded in the attack.

The attack took place in Sangin district of the province after a number of insurgents attacked a police check post and clashed with security forces, provincial Police Chief Aqa Noor Kentozai said.

On Sunday local officials said at least 20 local and national policemen were killed in clashes with Taliban insurgents in southern Zabul province.

The clash occurred in Shahjoi district in Helmand on Saturday night after Taliban insurgents attacked the district and clashed with police, said officials.

At least seven check posts fell to the insurgents but by late Sunday security forces had regained control of all check posts.