A suicide bomber killed at least 17 people on Tuesday outside of a market in northern Afghanistan, Boston.com reported.
Though no one has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack that took place in Faryab province, the area is known for Taliban and other militant activity. The Taliban has threatened to increase attacks in Afghanistan as the April presidential election nears and international troops begin to lessen their presence.
According to authorities, the suicide bomber approached a checkpoint on a road leading to the governor's house in provincial capital of Maymana. His explosives were allegedly hidden in the rickshaw.
Most victims included vendors and people visiting the market, Boston.com said. Provincial Gov. Mohammadullah Patash claimed among the 17 killed were three children and also said 26 were wounded in the blasts.
Deputy Governor Abdul Satar Barez also said employees at a nearby electricity department were among the fatalities.
''They killed innocent people in a place where locals were just trying to earn 10 Afghanis (about 20 cents) to buy a piece of bread. Most of the casualties were either selling bread or buying it,'' he said.
Though violence is expected to increase at the election looms, Afghan officials have vowed to keep the region safe.
"We have taken measures to secure villages, highways and districts," Gen. Abdiani told The Wall Street Journal.
