A Kandahar official said a vehicle, packed with explosives, detonated in Kandahar City’s PD14 area on Tuesday afternoon killing at least 16 people.

According to the governor’s spokesman, Daud Ahmadi, the explosives detonated before they could be defused.

Ahmadi said at least 16 people were killed and almost 40 others were wounded in the explosion.

Public Health Directorate of Kandahar meanwhile said six were dead and 36 wounded.

Health officials said the wounded have been taken to a state hospital in the city.

President Ashraf Ghani has praised the bravery of the intelligence and security forces for attempting to foil the bombing.

Ghani condemned the incident and expressed his condolences with families of those who lost their lives in the incident.