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1st LD: At least 2 killed in explosion in N. Afghan city

Xinhua, August 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least two persons were killed and over one dozen others wounded after an explosion ripped through a market place in Mazar-i-Sharif city, capital of Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh on Tuesday, an official said.

"The attack occurred roughly at 12:50 p.m. local time. The nature of the blast could be a suicide bombing. So far, we have no more details, but we will try to get more information," the source told Xinhua anonymously.

More details would be made public later in the day as investigation is underway to find more facts about the incident, the source added.

Local media Tolo News reported that one civilian and the bomber were killed on the spot and 14 others were wounded in the explosion which occurred near the main square in the city.

The casualties were shifted to a nearby hospital, Noor Mohammad Faiz, a provincial health official, was quoted by Tolo as saying.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Endit