By Shadi Khan

KABUL, Afghanistan

At least eight people were killed in a Taliban suicide attack in southern Helmand province on Tuesday, police said.

The noon attack targeted a gathering of local elders in provincial capital Lashkar Gah's police district 2, Security Director Gulai Khan told Anadolu Agency.

The Taliban claimed more than 20 people were killed in the attack, including security personnel.

Col. Aqanoor Qentoz, provincial chief of the Afghan National Police, told Anadolu Agency the suicide bomber targeted the home of a local elder in provincial capital Lashkar Gah during a meeting. He said the attacker detonated explosives as he entered Khuda Dad's residence in the 2nd police district area.

The Taliban claimed to have killed "scores" of government supporters. Qari Yosuf Ahmadi, the group's spokesman in southern Afghanistan, said 32 people were killed and a number of vehicles destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said 43 Taliban insurgents, including two commanders, had been killed in the previous 24 hours across the country, including in Helmand.

On Sunday, at least four police personnel were killed and five wounded in an explosion near a mosque in northeastern Badakhshan province for which the Taliban took responsibility.

Helmand is one of the most volatile provinces in Afghanistan. Thousands of civilians have fled the province in recent months due to growing insecurity.