Five killed, 20 injured in Kabul suicide bombing

KABUL (AIP): Five persons were killed and 20 more injured as a result of a suicide attack near a Shiite mosque in Kabul city on Friday.

Acting spokesman for interior ministry, Najib Danish told AIP that a suicide attack occurred near a Shiite mosque in Qilla Fathullah area in the limits of 10th security zone in Kabul city, leaving five persons dead and 20 more wounded. The victims were civilians, he said, adding the security forces arrested a suspected person in the area.

Earlier, Kabul police spokesman and eyewitnesses said that the blast occurred near a Shiite mosque in Kabul city.

“The explosive material had been loaded on sheep and detonated through a remote-control device near a Shia mosque on the main road. At least seven worshipers were killed and 13 wounded,” an eyewitness told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

Social media accounts disseminated images of sheep killed in the explosion. It is believed that the attacker wanted to enter the mosque. However, he detonated his explosions after the security forces recognized him.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, the Taliban have rejected involvement in the incident. “The blast in Qilla Fathullah Area in Kabul city has no link with the mujahideen of Islamic Emirate,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AIP.

Meanwhile, President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the bombing.

The incident occurred amidst strict security arrangements adopted by security forces on the occasion of Ashora. A bomb blast also killed at least three people and wounded 16 others in Kabul late yesterday.