A suicide bombing outside a bank in Afghanistan's Kandahar city killed at least 21 people and injured numerous more on Thursday, according to a doctor at the provincial hospital.
However, local police reported three deaths and 12 injuries.
The bomb killed largely civilians who had congregated in front of the bank to withdraw cash, according to a statement from the Kandahar police department.
"A suicide attack occurred in which three compatriots were killed and 12 others were wounded," he told the AFP news agency.
He said, "Our compatriots usually gather there to collect their salaries," adding that "the victims were civilians."
The deceased and about 50 wounded people were moved to Mirwais Hospital, the region's largest, according to a doctor at the hospital who spoke with the BBC on the condition of anonymity.
Afghanistan's capital is Kabul, although Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada lives in Kandahar, the southern region where the Taliban movement started.
Taliban authorities had encircled the area outside the bank and barred media from approaching the location.
However, an AFP journalist witnessed what seemed to be incapacitated individuals or dead bodies being transported into ambulances in the aftermath of the incident.
Firefighters and security officials were cleaning up the scene, which was covered with blood, clothing pieces, and shoes.
Hospitals did not reply to demands for information, stating that they had been instructed not to talk with the media.
Since the Taliban ceased their fight and overthrew the US-backed government in August 2021, the number of bomb explosions and suicide strikes in Afghanistan has decreased significantly.
However, a handful of armed organizations, notably Daesh's regional offshoot, continue to pose threats.
Numerous explosions have been reported around Afghanistan since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on March 11, but only a few have been acknowledged by Taliban leaders.