The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a Saturday blast in Afghanistan's Balkh province in which one person was killed and eight others were injured.<br />''<br />''The Islamic State Telegram account yesterday claimed responsibility for the blast at a cultural centre during an event for journalists in northern Afghanistan Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital city of the Balkh province.<br />''<br />''Authorities and journalists have said that at least one person was killed and eight wounded in the attack.<br />''<br />''This was the second incident within three days in the Balkh province; the first was a suicide attack that killed the governor of Balk, Mullah Dawood Muzmal, according to Khaama Press.<br />''<br />''The Islamic State claimed responsibility for both incidents. The group has recently intensified attacks on Afghanistan's Kabul, Herat and Balkh provinces.<br />''<br />''Although the Taliban claims the conflict has been finished in the country, the radical Islamic State of Khorasan and other militants have ferociously targeted Kabul city and other places.<br />''<br />''United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett said the attack on journalists in Afghanistan's Mazar-e-Sharif is a blow to the freedom of expression.<br />''<br />''Bennett said he is closely monitoring the attack on the gathering aimed at awarding journalists at Tebyan Cultural Center in Mazar-e-Sharif.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The UN Special Rapporteur emphasized the need for increased security measures for journalists in Afghanistan.</span><br />