KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Up to seven civilians were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Wednesday, a provincial government spokesman said.
"A running sedan touched off an improvised explosive device along a road near a village in Mano locality, Shah Wali Kot district roughly at 5:30 p.m. Local time. The blast caused all the seven people aboard the vehicle killed," spokesman Samim Khpalwak told Xinhua.
Among the victims, who were returning from a wedding party, were two women and three children, he said, adding the vehicle was also destroyed by the blast.
He blamed the Taliban militant group for planting the IED along the dusty road.
More than 2,560 civilians were killed and over 5,830 injured in the first nine months of this year in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan, according to the latest figures released by UN mission in the country.
Ground engagements remained the largest cause of civilian casualties, followed by suicide attacks and IED explosions.
