Blast kills 1 in northern Afghanistan

　　TALUQAN, Afghanistan, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- One person, obviously a bomb planter, was killed on Saturday in Taluqan city, the provincial capital of northern Afghanistan's Takhar province, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Affairs said.

　　"I can confirm that there was a blast in Takhar and the attacker was killed in the blast. The security personnel prevented him before reaching his target," Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed to Xinhua.

　　There were no other casualties, and only a Ranger (military vehicle) was partially damaged, said the official, who declined to provide more details.

　　Local media reported that the blast took place outside the gate of the governor's office, leaving one person dead.

　　No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

　　The Islamic State (IS) outfit has in the past claimed responsibility for subversive activities, including the assassination of Afghan acting minister for refugees and repatriation Khalil Rahman Haqqani in Kabul last month. ■