ISLAMABAD – Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers suffered casualties in asuicide attack in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, the localofficials said.

The incident took place earlier today in the vicinity of Nad-e-Ali districtafter a suicide bomber detonated a Vehicle-borne Improvised ExplosiveDevice (VBIED) near a military base.

Provincial governor’s spokesman Omar Zwak confirmed the incident and saidat least two soldiers lost their lives after a suicide bomber detonated amini truck packed with explosives in Nad-e-Ali district at around 7 amlocal time.

Zwak further added that the attack also left at least four Afghan soldierswounded however there are no reports regarding their health condition.

In the meantime, reports emerging from the area suggest that at leastsixteen army soldiers lost their lives or were wounded in the attack.

The anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban insurgents havenot commented regarding the report so far.

Helmand is among the relatively volatile provinces in South of Afghanistanwhere the anti-government armed militant groups are actively operating inits various districts and often carry out insurgency activities.