SHARAN - At least 89 civilians have been killed and nearly fifty others have been wounded when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden truck in a marketplace in Argon district in eastern Paktika province, bordering Pakistan.

The suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a crowded bazaar on Tuesday morning, destroying dozens of mad-made stores and erupting fire in several shops.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior blamed the Taliban for the attack, a blame the Taliban rejected.

The Afghan army has taken out 89 bodies from rubble and evacuated 42 wounded to hospitals in the provincial capital, Sharana, and the capital Kabul.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, Gen Zahir Azimi, said two medivac helicopters were sent to Argon with eight military doctors and first aid needs.

The UN has condemned the attack in strongest terms.

"Today's appalling attack during Ramadan – an occasion that should observed in a spirit of peace and compassion – should be condemned in the strongest possible terms and the perpetrators must be held accountable," said the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš.

Religious scholar Mawlawi Hedayat condemned the attack, saying it was against Islam's principles, particularly during the month of Ramadan. (Tolonews)