GHAZNI (Afghanistan), Oct 27: A roadside bomb on Sunday killed at least 18 civilians, mostly women, as they travelled by minibus to a wedding party in a volatile area of central Afghanistan, officials said.

The interior ministry said the blast occurred in Andar district of Ghazni province, where Taliban militants have a strong presence.

“The bomb hit a minibus civilian vehicle today at 4:30pm that was heading to a wedding party,” a statement from the ministry said.

“In the attack, 14 women, three men and a child were martyred and five others were wounded... the ministry strongly condemns this brutal attack of the enemies of Afghanistan.”

‘Enemies of Afghanistan’ is a phrase used by Afghan officials to refer to the Taliban militia and other armed groups fighting against the US-backed Kabul government.

Ghazni’s Governor Mosa Khan Akbarzada confirmed the death toll, describing the attack as a “tragic incident”.

He said no other details were immediately available from the area.

Roadside bombs are often planted by Taliban militants to target Afghan security forces and US-led Nato troops, but they often miss their intended targets and kill civilians. There was no immediate comment from the Taliban.

Sunday’s attack has come as the Afghan government seeks a negotiated settlement ending the 12-year war.—AFP