At least six people were killed and nine others wounded in an explosion in Shindand district in western Herat province on Monday, local officials confirmed.

According to officials, the casualties were all civilians.

Shindand officials said explosives had been placed in a rickshaw and detonated in Shindad bazaar at about 4pm.

Hospital officials also confirmed the incident and said six bodies had been taken to the local hospital.

According to them, three children were among the wounded.

Eyewitnesses said the rickshaw had been parked at the bazaar since Monday morning and that it had aroused suspicion. The eyewitnesses said they had reported the suspicious vehicle to security forces.

According to them, Afghan National Army personnel checked the rickshaw but found nothing usual.

However, the same rickshaw later exploded.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion happened when children were leaving a school and mosque in the area.