Roadside bomb wounds 8 civilians in eastern Afghan province

At least eight people, all civilians sustained injuries as a roadside bomb organized by militants struck a vehicle in Batikot district of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province on Monday, spokesman for provincial government Attaullah Khogiani said.

"A mine planted by Taliban militants on a road in Batikot district struck vehicle at around noon injuring eight innocent civilian passengers," Khogiani told Xinhua.

The official said investigation is underway, without providing more details.

Meantime, another official on condition of anonymity said the target apparently was district governor of Batikot but he escaped unhurt.

Taliban militants have yet to claim responsibility for the bloody bombing.

Nangarhar province with Jalalabad as its capital 120 km east of Kabul has been the scene of increasing militancy conducted by Taliban and Islamic State armed groups.

source: Xinhua