2 killed, 16 wounded in Balkh handcart blast

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Two people were killed and 16 others wounded in a bomb blast in northern Balkh province on Wednesday, police said.

Police spokesman Adel Shah Adel told Pajhwok Afghan News that the blast took place in Kulfat Bandar area at around 1pm.

He said the explosives had been planted on a handcart that went off, killing two civilians and injuring 13 others including women and children.

According to him, three Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were also wounded in the blast.

Ahmad Khan, a resident, said the explosion was so powerful that it shattered windowpanes of nearby homes. He said the injured had been shifted to hospital.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

sa/ma