MAZAR SHARIF: A bomb blast in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Saturday killed a security guard and wounded a group of journalists as well as several children, police and a witness said.

The blast came two days after a suicide bomber killed the Taliban governor of northern Balkh province in an attack claimed by the militant Islamic State (IS) group.

Saturday`s blast took place duringan event honouring Afghanistan`s media at a cultural centre in Mazari-Sharif. Police said a security guard was killed and that five journalists were among the wounded.

`I heard a big bang... then there was chaos as everyone was trying to find a way to escape,` said Afghan journalist Atif Arian, who was wounded in the blast.

`Some journalists are seriously wounded.` Balkh police spokesman Mohammad Asif Waziri said three children were among the wounded.

Arian said the explosion happened when a group of children were singing an anthem, minutesafter a Taliban official had delivered a speech.

Afghan journalists were regularly targeted before the Taliban reclaimed power, with several attacks claimed by IS.

`Targeting journalists during an event to honour reporters is a despicable and cowardly act,` said Beh Lih Yi, Asia programme director at the Committee to Protect Journalists.

`The Taliban must investigate quickly, bring the perpetrators to justice, and end impunity for those who target journalists.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.-AFP