At least eight civilians were killed in a roadside IED explosion  in northern Balkh province on Wednesday morning, local officials confirmed.
 
In addition, six other people were wounded in the blast.
 
The incident happened in Sholgara district of the province about 11am local time after the vehicle they were traveling in hit a roadside mine, a spokesman for the provincial police chief, Shirjan Durani said.
 
The wounded passengers have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, he said.