Afghanistan: Suicide bombing at market in north (UPDATED 2:05 PM EDT)

Update
Differences in reported death toll    

Associated Press report posted at US News & World Report at 8:51 EDT puts the toll at 19.  

Reuters 10:25 AM EDT report puts the toll at 15. Also reports the suicide bomber was on a motorcycle and adds this information:

The main target was believed to be a nearby police checkpoint in Almar, a district of Faryab province which borders Turkmenistan, local officials added.
Five of the dead were Afghan security force personnel and the rest civilians, Faryab's acting governor, Satar Barez, said.

“Security forces were at their checkpoint in Almar’s main market when the suicide bomber detonated his explosives,” Barez said.

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Suicide bomber kills 15 in Afghan market: officials
AFP via Express Tribune
July 22, 2015 - approx. 5:00 AM EDT

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN: At least 15 people were killed Wednesday when a suicide attacker blew himself up in a busy market in northern Afghanistan, officials said, warning that the death toll could rise.

Women and children were among those killed in the attack in Almar district of Faryab province.

“This morning a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vest in a market in Almar,” Faryab governor Abdul Sattar Barez told AFP.

“Our information shows at least 15 people were killed in the attack, including women and children and at least one Afghan army soldier,” he said, adding that around 38 others were wounded.

The attack comes as Taliban insurgents step up attacks on government and foreign targets during their summer offensive despite official efforts to jumpstart peace talks.

Almar district chief Saleh Mohammad Saleh confirmed the death toll.

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The Associated Press report on the bombing adds this information:

Deputy provincial police chief Baryalia Basharyar said the "target of the attacker were military forces that were present in the area but the majority of the victims were innocent civilians."

Barez also said he feared the final death toll may be higher as many among the wounded were in critical condition.

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