MAZAR-E-SHARIF (SW) – Multiple blasts ripped through civilians in Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of Balkh province claiming at least nine lives on Thursday, confirmed officials.
Balkh security officials reported that 9 people were killed and 13 others were injured as a result of two explosions in the third and tenth security districts of Mazar-e-Sharif. The blasts took place around 7 pm today in the Shiite neighborhood of downtown Mazar-e-Sharif.
Mohammad Asif Vaziri, spokesman for the Balkh Police Command, told Salam Watandar that the first blast in the Karte Ariana area struck in the 10th security district of Mazar-e-Sharif and the second in the area next to the Sultan Ghiasuddin school in the 3rd security district in the city. As a result, 9 people were killed and 13 others were injured.
Eyewitnesses said the death toll from the blasts was higher than the reported figures. The wounded and killed are all civilians.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blasts. Earlier, the Islamic State group (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the bombings in religious places and Shiite neighborhoods in Mazar-e-Sharif and a number of other provinces.
In recent days, however, most Shiite-affiliated areas in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif have been attacked, causing concern among many Balkh residents.
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