The governor of Balkh, Mohammad Dawood Muzamil, was killed in a blast that took place inside his office, a spokesman for the Balkh security department said.  

Balkh’s Security Department’s spokesman, Mohammad Asif Waziri, confirmed the killing of the provincial governor.

“Today around 9:00 am, an individual who was armed with explosives blew himself up by the governor of Balkh, Mohamma Dawood Muzamil, from which unfortunately, the governor of Balkh, Mohammad Dawood Muzamil was martyred alongside two civilians. Also, four other people, including three military members and one civilian, were wounded,” he said.

Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid also on Twitter expressed sorrow over the killing of the provincial governor. 

A statement of the department of security of Balkh said that an individual wearing a suicide vest blew himself up near the second floor near the office of the provincial governor.

The witnesses said said the blast occurred inside the provincial governor’s office.

“I had work issue for the Haj process in the governor’s office. I don’t know what happened,” said a wounded person.

“Two people came and opened the door for him (suicide attacker) and then closed the door. I started walking downstairs and while I walked a bit, the blast happened among the people,” a wounded person said.

“Security officials should pay attention to this issue because the new year is coming and Ramadan around the corner,” said Sifatullah, son of one of the wounded.

Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.