Kabul, March 26: At least eight civilians were killed and 17 injured when a suicide bomber blew up his car at a weekly market in southern Afghan province of Helmand Wednesday, an official said.

The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. when the attacker drove a car laden with explosives and blew it up in a crowded market in Gereshk district of Helamend province, said Mohammad Hussein Andiwal, the provincial police chief.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.

Earlier, a roadside bombing set up by Taliban insurgents in the same district left one Afghan police dead and two injured.

Conflicts and Taliban-related violence have left more than 250 people dead so far this year in the war-torn country.

Taliban militants have also recently vowed to launch "Spring Assaults" to intensify their guerrilla-style attacks on national army and foreign troops.