MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Three people have been killed and five civilians wounded by gunshots in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh, a local official said Wednesday.
"A gunfight occurred following an argument between members of two local militia groups in Balkh district, western of provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif city late Tuesday," provincial government spokesman Munir Ahmad Farhad told Xinhua.
The wounded civilians were shifted to nearby hospital by Afghan National Police, the official said, adding that an investigation was undertaken into the incident.
The police also recovered three bodies, suspected to be those of the militia groups' members, he said.
Local authorities blamed the irresponsible armed groups for the incident, saying loose law as well as carrying arms by irresponsible armed men resulted in the armed clash.
Ordinary Afghans usually suffer at the hands of irresponsible armed groups, particularly in remote areas, where the government control is weak.
