An Afghan official today said that an explosion at a market place in the western Laghman province has killed two civilians and wounded 16.
Sarhadi Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, said the blast took place in the Alisha district in the morning hours today, when the market was packed with shoppers.
In northern Sari Pul province, the governor's spokesman Zabiullah Amani said 17 people have been kidnapped by insurgents in Balkhab district. He said negotiations are underway for their release.
Elsewhere, Gen Mohammad Aaman Mammorzai said two Afghan men and a woman working for an international aid organisation were shot dead in the Shekh Ali district of northwestern Parwan province yesterday.
Mammorzai, who is the provincial police chief, said three people have been arrested.
