MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least seven civilians were killed and a dozen others wounded after an explosion hit a wedding bus in Afghanistan's northern province of Faryab on Thursday, a local official said.
"The initial information found a bus carrying wedding party guests was struck by a motor round and the blast caused seven civilians killed and 12 others injured," Jawid Bedar, spokesman of provincial government, told Xinhua.
Running along a road in Khawaja Sabz Poash district, the ill-fated bus caught in cross fire during a clash between security forces and Taliban militants at around midday, he said.
It remained unknown which side fired the mortar shell.
All the victims were women and children, the source said, adding the injured were shifted to nearby hospital in the remote district.
An investigation was launched into the incident, the source noted.
The Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflicts and war as more than 2,560 civilians were killed and over 5,830 injured in the first nine months of the year, according to the latest figures released by UN mission in the country.
Ground engagements have remained the largest cause of civilian casualties, followed by suicide attacks and roadside bombings and IED explosions.
