At least 4 killed in N. Afghan suicide bombing

At least four people were killed and two others wounded after a suicide bombing struck a hotel in Mazar-i-Sharif city, capital of Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh on Thursday, sources said.

The blast occurred roughly at around 7 a.m. local time near the Blue Mosque in central neighborhood of the city, a security source told Xinhua anonymously.

"The initial information found that the attacker and three other people were killed and two people were wounded but we have no more details. We will try to get more information," the source said.

Witnesses said they heard heavy explosion at the entrance of the hotel in the crowded locality.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

The target of the attack has not immediately been known and no group has claimed

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)