A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-packed motorcycle in northern Afghanistan Thursday, killing six civilians and wounding more than 20 in a crowded market as shoppers bought supplies for the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-Fitr

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-packed motorcycle in northern Afghanistan Thursday, killing six civilians and wounding more than 20 in a crowded market as shoppers bought supplies for the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, officials said.
  
The attack in Takhar province came as Afghanistan is conducting an audit of its presidential vote aimed at ending an impasse that has threatened to plunge the country into a crisis.
  
"Today morning a suicide bomber detonated his explosive packed motorcycle in Khwaja Ghar district central of Takhar province," Sunatullah Taimor, the provincial governor's spokesman told AFP. "All of the wounded were civilians, six were killed and 26 others were wounded," he said. Taimor added that the bomb had been intended for a police pick-up truck but missed its target.
  
Khali Aseer, provincial police spokesman confirmed the death toll to AFP and said: "The victims were shopping for the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr festival. "Unfortunately, they were martyred in a suicide attack by the enemies of Afghanistan".
  
The Afghan interior ministry in a statement condemned the attack and put the number of wounded at 28. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.