Suicide Attack At Volleyball Game Kills 45

At least 45 people have been killed after a suicide bombing at a volleyball tournament in Afghanistan.

The blasts took place at a crowded stadium, and most of the victims were civilians. At least 50 have been wounded.

According to officials, the bomber detonated his explosives vest after mingling with spectators on foot.

Abdulhay, an 11-year boy being treated for minor injuries in a hospital in Sharana, the provincial capital of Paktika, described the moment the bomb went off.

"I and my friends were watching the game and we were cheering each time our team scored.

"Then I heard a boom that threw me back unconscious. I opened my eyes in the hospital and don't know if my friends are dead or alive."

Attaullah Fazli, deputy governor of Paktika, said: "The suicide attacker was on a motorcycle, he detonated himself in the middle of a volleyball match.

"A lot of people including some provincial officials and the police chief were there."

This is one of the deadliest attacks to rock Afghanistan this year. No one has yet claimed responsibility.

Paktika province lies along the porous border with Pakistan's North Waziristan region, used as a base by both the Haqqani militant network and the Pakistani branch of the Taliban.

For months, the Pakistani army has been waging an offensive against militants in North Waziristan, driving refugees and militants across the border into Afghanistan.

Earlier on Sunday, it was confirmed the combat role of US and NATO troops has been extended into 2015.