1st LD Writethru: 3 killed in N. Afghan explosion

At least three civilians were killed and 10 others wounded in an explosion in Maimana, capital of Afghanistan's northern province of Faryab on Wednesday, an official said.

"An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attached to a bicycle was detonated along a busy road where two local banks' branches are located. The blast occurred at around 10:30 in the morning (0600 GMT)," a provincial security source told Xinhua anonymously. "The killed along with the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital."

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

The obvious target of the attack remained unknown, the source said, adding that authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

"The death toll could rise, as many injured remain in critical condition. Police have launched a massive manhunt in the area to nab the culprit behind the attack," the official added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The blast also damaged several vehicles and buildings around the site.

More than 3,540 civilians were killed and over 7,450 others injured in 2015 as the violence spread in different places of the country, according to a report released by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Out of the casualties, 713 civilians were killed and more than 1, 650 injured by IED attacks last year, according to the report. Enditem