LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Casualties were feared after an explosion rocked near a police station in Lashkar Gah, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Wednesday, a local official said.

"A blast occurred near 505 Bost Police Zone in Lashkar Gah at around midday. The whole place has now been sealed off, and there are possible causalities," the source told Xinhua anonymously.

The initial information found the nature of the blast was a car bombing, he said, adding that more details would be made public later as an investigation was underway.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.