At least 12 people were killed as a result of the explosion during an election rally in Afghanistan's Takhar province, which borders Tajikistan, Tolonews reported citing security officials.
According to the broadcaster, the incident took place in the district of Rustaq in the province of Takhar during a campaign rally organized by Nazifa Beg, a female parliamentary candidate.
The bomb was hidden in a motorcycle parked near the site of the election rally.
READ MORE: US Special Envoy on Afghanistan Meets With Taliban Officials in Doha — Report
The explosion injured 32 people, the media added, citing local police.
Update; 12 killed and 32 wounded as blast happened in Candidate #Nazifa Big election campaign rally in Takhar Province. https://t.co/loje4hTzln
— Miraqa Popal (@MiraqaPopal) 13 октября 2018 г.
Earlier in the month, Afghanistan's security officials promised to take all precautions needed to conduct the elections in a safe and secure manner. According to the interior ministry's deputy spokesman, Nusrat Rahimi, as many as 54,000 servicemen will ensure safety at about 21,000 polling sites throughout the country.
Nevertheless, this is the third terrorist attack targeting election campaign process in Afghanistan in October, the local media added. The two previous attacks in Helmand and Nangarhar provinces claimed the lives of 22 people.
Since the beginning of July, at least eight candidates have been killed in militants' attacks across the country.
Afghanistan has been struggling to achieve stability for years as central authorities have been fighting Taliban radical movement and a number of terrorist organizations, including the Daesh* terrorist group that are attempting to gain a foothold in the country. According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), nearly 2,800 civilians were killed and over 5,200 sustained injuries in military action in Afghanistan in the period from January to September 2018.
*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) and Taliban are terrorist groups banned in Russia
