A rocket fired during fighting between Afghan forces and terrorists killed at least 15 wedding guests late Wednesday in the southern province of Helmand, officials said.

A rocket fired during fighting between Afghan forces and terrorists killed at least 15 wedding guests late Wednesday in the southern province of Helmand, officials said.

Most of the victims were women and children in the attack in Helmand's Sangin province.

"At least 15 people were killed and 45 wounded when the rocket struck in a firefight between Afghan security forces and the Taliban," said Fareed Ahmad Obaid, police spokesman for Helmand province.

Obaid said the victims had been attending a wedding at the time of the attack.

Karem Atal, head of Helmand's provincial council, confirmed the incident and said the toll could rise after many of the guests were rushed to hospital in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.