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9 civilians injured in Zabul blast

QALAT (PAN): Nine civilians were injured on Friday during a bomb blast in the Shah Joi district of southern Zabul province, officials said.

The incident took place at around 11am when explosives rigged to a rickshaw were detonated in the district bazaar, the town’s administrative head said.

Mohammad Siddique told Pajhwok Afghan News they had received information about a planned suicide attack three days back.

With the security personnel ordered to ensure tight security, he said the bomber could not reach his target — the main bazaar — and he detonated his explosives-laden rickshaw in front of a shop.

The injured were in stable condition, he said, adding the attacker managed to flee the scene. Police are looking for the bomber.

Witness Khair Mohammad said it was a heavy explosion that smashed windowpanes of nearby houses. Security forces cordoned off the area, he added. “I saw two people bleeding and police took them to hospital.”

myn/mud