Afghanistan: At least 50 worshipers killed in strong blast at Sunni mosque in Kabul

LAST UPDATE: 20:00

More than 50 worshipers were killed today after a powerful explosion at a mosque in Kabul, according to its leader.

This attack is the latest in a series of attacks on political targets in Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramadan.

The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a mosque in the western part of the capital, Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens more, officials said.

The blast occurred as worshipers gathered after Friday prayers for Zikr, a ritual prayer invoking Allah that is considered heretical by some hardline Sunni organizations.

Sagent Fazil Aga, the head of the mosque, said that someone believed to be a suicide bomber broke into the ceremony and detonated the explosives.

“Black smoke was rising, there were dead bodies everywhere,” he told Reuters, noting that his nephew was among the victims. “I survived, but I lost my beloved relatives,” he said.

A resident of the area, Mohammad Sabir, said he saw the injured being transported by ambulance. “The explosion was very loud, I thought my drums would break,” he said.

The Emergency Hospital in central Kabul said 21 people had been injured and two dead. A nurse at another hospital, who did not want to be named, said many of the injured were being treated in critical condition. Another health source said at least 30 people had been taken to hospital so far.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, condemned the attack and warned that the perpetrators would be found and punished.

Source: AMPE

Source: Capital

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