MAIMANA, Afghanistan, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A would-be suicide bomber was gunned down by police in the northern Faryab province before reaching his target in provincial capital Maimana on Wednesday, a police spokesman in the northern region Sayed Sarwar Hussaini said Thursday.

According to the official, a militant was attempting to enter a funeral ceremony and blow himself up on Wednesday afternoon, but was identified by police and gunned down on the spot.

The official blamed Taliban militants for organizing the failed suicide bombing, but the armed outfit has yet to make comments.?