Provincial officials confirmed the explosion Saturday afternoon in Lashkargah city, in Helmand, was a suicide bombing.

Public Health officials in Helmand said at least 11 people were killed and 21 others were wounded in the explosion.

The incident took place shortly after 2pm local time in the city. Among the dead were five security force members.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Omar Zwak confirmed the incident it took place when a suicide bomber exploded an explosive-laden vehicle near a security forces' convoy in the city.

Eyewitnesses claim at least one vehicle – belonging to security forces – was destroyed in the blast.

Following the incident, President Ashraf Ghani in a statement condemned the attack and called it a barbaric and an inhumane act.

He said the country’s enemies will not reach their “nefarious ends by creating violence and killing the Afghan people.”

Ghani also sent his condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery.