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Afghan suicide bombing at market leaves many dead | Afghan suicide bombing at market leaves many dead |
(35 minutes later) | |
A suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan has killed at least 15 people including women and children, officials have told the BBC. | A suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan has killed at least 15 people including women and children, officials have told the BBC. |
Another 27 were wounded in the attack in Maymana, the capital of Faryab province, provincial governor Mohammadullah Batash said. | Another 27 were wounded in the attack in Maymana, the capital of Faryab province, provincial governor Mohammadullah Batash said. |
The bomber is believed to have detonated his explosives near the entrance to a busy market. | The bomber is believed to have detonated his explosives near the entrance to a busy market. |
The attack comes as Afghans prepare to hold presidential elections on 5 April. | The attack comes as Afghans prepare to hold presidential elections on 5 April. |
No group has so far said it carried out the bombing. | No group has so far said it carried out the bombing. |
However, Taliban insurgents and the al-Qaeda affiliated group the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan are active in the volatile region. | However, Taliban insurgents and the al-Qaeda affiliated group the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan are active in the volatile region. |
'Huge bang' | |
Mr Batash said the attacker had been riding a three-wheel motorcycle when he detonated his explosives. | Mr Batash said the attacker had been riding a three-wheel motorcycle when he detonated his explosives. |
"It was a local market day. Hundreds of local farmers and villagers bring their produce. All of those killed and injured are civilians," he said. | "It was a local market day. Hundreds of local farmers and villagers bring their produce. All of those killed and injured are civilians," he said. |
Witness Sayed Agha, 43, told the BBC: "I was busy buying bread when I heard a huge bang. I saw dead bodies and blood all around me." | Witness Sayed Agha, 43, told the BBC: "I was busy buying bread when I heard a huge bang. I saw dead bodies and blood all around me." |
Correspondents say security is likely to be severely tested during the election, where candidates include warlords and former guerrilla leaders from the civil war in the 1990s. | Correspondents say security is likely to be severely tested during the election, where candidates include warlords and former guerrilla leaders from the civil war in the 1990s. |
The Taliban have threatened to target anyone who takes part in the polls. | The Taliban have threatened to target anyone who takes part in the polls. |
In recent days, the country's election commission has closed 396 polling centres in 15 provinces citing security concerns, says the BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul. | In recent days, the country's election commission has closed 396 polling centres in 15 provinces citing security concerns, says the BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul. |
The majority were closed in Faryab province, our correspondent adds. | |
The last remaining contingent of Nato-led forces is due to leave the country by the end of the year, having handed over security to Afghan forces. | The last remaining contingent of Nato-led forces is due to leave the country by the end of the year, having handed over security to Afghan forces. |
The United Nations says 2,959 civilians were killed and 5,656 wounded in Afghanistan last year, a 14% rise from the previous year. | The United Nations says 2,959 civilians were killed and 5,656 wounded in Afghanistan last year, a 14% rise from the previous year. |