At least three policemen were killed and 18 others wounded in a suicide attack on Police HQ in Kandahar province today morning, a security source said.

The incident took place at 4:00 am (local time) in Shah Wali Kot district, as a suicide car bomber detonated his explosives near the Police HQ, Tolo news reported.

The District Governor's compound is also close to the Police HQ, according to the source.

Bahir Ahmad, spokesman for the provincial Governor, said: "We had information about a possible attack on Police HQ and the forces were prepared. The suicide bomber was shot before he reached his target, but his explosives detonated."

However, nobody has claimed responsibility for the attack..