At least eight civilians were killed and 20 others injured after a vehicle touched off a roadside bomb in the country's western province, a local official said on Saturday.

"The gruesome incident took place in Bala Buluk district late Friday when the victims were fleeing their houses following a ground engagement between security forces and Taliban militants," provincial government spokesman Mohammad Nasir Mehri told Xinhua.

The initial information found the blast on Friday was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device, which was planted by militants along the dusty road in Farah province, he said, adding the local authorities had conducted a thorough investigation into the incident.

"Further information will be shared after the ongoing probe by provincial authorities and military officials," Mehri noted.

Many of the injured remained in critical condition and among the victims were several women and children.