At least fifty people are now known to have been killed instantly when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device during a popular volleyball game.
It is the deadliest attack in Afghanistan this year.
Dozens of wounded were brought to hospital in the capital Kabul.
“The explosion happened during the game,” explained Abdul Rahman who was hurt in the attack. “Dead bodies and wounded were spread everywhere, over 55 people were martyred. My three cousins were martyred, my brother and three cousins were wounded.”
The attack happened in eastern Paktika province, bordering Pakistan, during the final of a three-day tournament with a huge crowd in attendance.
The bomber is likely to have targeted the event to ensure maximum casualties.
Paktika, one of the Afghanistan’s most volatile regions, is where Taliban and affiliated insurgent groups like the Haqqani network are waging an intensifying war against the government in Kabul.
Sunday’s attack was characteristic of Haqqani operations, as the group regularly sends young men to carry out suicide attacks on high-profile targets.