Omar Zwak, spokesman for Helmand's provincial governor, says the bomber detonated his explosives-laden vehicle today near the house of the former police chief in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.
Five people were killed in the explosion. Zwak says the former police chief and 18 others were wounded in the attack.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing but the Taliban frequently use roadside bombs and suicide attacks against Afghan security forces and government officials in the country.