GARDEZ (PAN): Four civilians were injured as a result of a bomb blast in Gardez, the capital of southeastern Paktia province, officials said on Sunday.

The blast resulted from explosives fitted to a bicycle at around 3:30pm near a bustling market in the city. The injured included three men and a woman, said Mohammad Nadir, the public health director.

He added the woman sustained critical injuries and was taken to a Kabul hospital.

But Col. Sayed Zakaria, the deputy police chief, said one person was injured and three vehicles were damaged in the blast.

mm/mud