Suicide blast at mosque kills 27

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KABUL, Nov 21, (AFP): A massive suicide blast targeting Shiites killed at least 27 people and wounded 35 as worshippers gathered at a Kabul mosque Monday, officials said, the latest sectarian attack to rock the Afghan capital. The attacker was mingling with worshippers inside the Baqirul Olum mosque in the west of the city when he detonated the bomb, said senior police official Fridon Obaidi.

The blast left a large crater inside the twostorey mosque. Bodies covered in blood could be seen on the ground among shattered glass. “I heard a blast and dust covered the whole mosque,” said worshipper Nadir Ali. “When the dust settled down, I saw the mosque was full of flesh and blood. I was injured in my waist and had to crawl out of the mosque.” Another worshipper, Ali Jan, told AFP: “I was in the mosque, the people were offering prayers. Suddenly I heard a bang and windows broke. I had no idea what had happened. I rushed out screaming.”

The worshippers were gathering for the major Shiite ceremony of Arbaeen marking the end of a 40-day mourning period after Ashura, which commemorates the death of Imam Hussein. Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was assassinated in the year 680. His fate laid the foundation for the faith practised by the Shiite community, a minority in mainly Sunni Muslim Afghanistan.

The death toll given by Obaidi was confirmed by a health ministry spokesman. Women and children were among the wounded. Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said the blast happened around 12.30 pm (0800 GMT). Police cordoned off the area as ambulances rushed to the scene.

This news has been read 5378 times!

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