Deaths as Suicide Bomber Hits Shiite Mosque in Kabul


Deaths as Suicide Bomber Hits Shiite Mosque in Kabul

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A suicide bomber killed at least three people and wounded five more in an attack at a Shiite mosque in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Thursday, security officials said.

The suspected bomber tried to enter the capital's Al Zahra mosque but was blocked by police, setting off a gun battle, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.

The attacker then took refuge in a kitchen before detonating a bomb.

The attack happened as mosques around the city were crowded for a night of religious observances as part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan's chief executive, condemned the blast on Twitter, Al Jazeera reported.

Among those killed is Haji Ramazan, a well-known businessman who has also built Al Zahra mosque

The attack comes at a time when Kabul is already on edge following a wave of deadly bombings, which triggered angry public protests calling for the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani's government over spiralling insecurity.

Health Ministry officials said Kabul ambulances have carried the dead and wounded victims to the hospital.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The Al Zahra mosque is used by Kabul's Shiite minority, who have been targeted by suicide bombings in the past. An attack on a Shiite mosque in November killed more than 30 people.

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