Bomber kills 18 policemen in Afghanistan

(CNN) -- A suicide bomber killed 18 policemen and wounded more than a dozen others Monday at a police training compound in southern Afghanistan, police said.

The explosion happened at 10 a.m. Monday in Tarin Kot, in Oruzgan Province, while police reservists were exercising, provincial police said. The building also sustained significant damage.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing.

"This is a sign that we have strong support in the south," said spokesman Qari Yousef.

"We have hundreds more willing to sacrifice themselves. And we will continue to fight against international forces and the government."

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