Suicide bombers kills 40 at volleyball match

A well-attended volleyball tournament match in Afghanistan turned out to be the scene of at least 40 deaths, after a suicide bomber concealing himself as a volleyball fan, blew himself up.

Mokhis Afghan, spokesman for the governor of Paktika province, bordering Pakistan, said the attack happened late on Sunday afternoon during an inter-district tournament match attended by a large crowd in eastern Afghanistan.

He said at least 40 people were dead and about 50 more were wounded in the attack. The death toll is expected to increase as the target was a well-attended match.

Most casualties were civilians.

No group has claimed responsibility yet, but Paktika has been targeted by the Taliban before.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks ahead of the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops from Afghanistan this year. Sunday’s attack came after the lower house approved a security agreement allowing some US and Nato troops to remain.

Sunday's attack is one of the deadliest so far this year, a time when attacks are escalating following a controversy-marred election and the inauguration of President Ashraf Ghani in September.