Dozens of people have bee killed in a suspected bomb attack in the Afghan city of Kandahar, police say.
At least 80 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in the Afghan city of Kandahar, its governor says.
The blast hit a crowd of people watching a dog-fighting competition. Reports say more than 50 people have died, but there is no confirmation.
The blast - the deadliest so far this year in Afghanistan - hit people watching a dog-fighting competition.
"It was a bombing but at this point we don't know if it was a suicide bomb," said an interior ministry spokesman.
"Sixty of the martyrs were brought to hospitals and 20 more dead bodies were taken from the site," Governor Assadullah Khalid told reporters.
The attack bears all the hallmarks of the Taleban insurgents, says the BBC's Jon Brain in the Afghan capital.
"This suicide attack was the work of the Taleban," Mr Khalid said. The Taleban have not admitted the blast.
But it bears all their hallmarks, says the BBC's Jon Brain in the Afghan capital.
They have a significant presence in the area from where they carry out suicide attacks and roadside bomb blasts.
They have a significant presence in the area from where they carry out suicide attacks and roadside bomb blasts.
Last week, the Kandahar governor survived a bomb blast attempt on his life.
Last week, the Kandahar governor himself was the target of an attempt on his life.
Last year, violence in Afghanistan reached its highest levels since the Taleban were forced from power in 2001, analysts say.
Last year, violence in Afghanistan reached its highest levels since the Taleban were forced from power in 2001, analysts say.
Body parts
Body parts
"The match was going on and all of a sudden the explosion went off," witness Abdul Rahman, whose brother was killed in the attack, told Reuters news agency.
"The match was going on and all of a sudden the explosion went off," witness Abdul Rahman, whose brother was killed in the attack, told Reuters news agency.
Body parts were scattered in the area as paramedics rushed the wounded to hospitals.
Body parts were scattered in the area as paramedics rushed the wounded to hospitals.
The Taleban claim to have influence across most of the country and have extended their area of control from their traditional heartland in the south.
The Taleban claim to have influence across most of the country and have extended their area of control from their traditional heartland in the south.
They are able to operate freely even in Wardak Province, neighbouring the capital Kabul, as a BBC camera crew who filmed them recently found.
They are able to operate freely even in Wardak Province, neighbouring the capital Kabul, as a BBC camera crew who filmed them recently found.
Were you or anyone you know at the scene of the blast? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
Were you or anyone you know at the scene of the blast? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
