3 killed, 1 injured in blast on parliamentary runner office in N. Afghanistan

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were confirmed dead and another injured as a blast targeted the office of a female parliamentary runner in Zari district of Afghanistan's northern Balkh province on Friday, provincial police spokesman Shir Jan Durani said.

The blast, according to the official, targeted the office of Parisa Shams Sadat, a female candidate for Wolesi Jirga or Lower House of parliament. All the victims were civilians.

Villagers said the number of casualties was higher than reported.

Taliban militants who have vowed to disrupt the election process and warned voters to stay away from voting centers have yet to make comment.