Afghanistan: 6 people killed, at least 20 injured in suicide bomb attack outside Shia mosque in Kabul

Two days after terrorists attacked Kabul airport with rockets, at least six people have been killed and dozen others have suffered injuries in a suicide attack carried outside a Shia mosque in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Friday.

According to Tolo News, the explosion occurred around 2pm (Afghanistan time) in Qala-e-Fathullah area of Kabul.

Spokesman for Ministry of Public Health told the media that six fatally injured in the explosion were taken to a state-owned hospital in the city.  

Afghanistan Police said  that a suicide bomber detonated himself as worshippers were leaving the mosque after weekly Friday prayers.

No group claimed has yet claimed the incident.

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“In the incident at least 22 people have been killed,” said a police officer to AFP.

Tolonews quoting Emergency Hospital officials wrote at least 19 people who were wounded in the blast were taken to the facility.

Soon after the incident, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and called it against humanity and religion.

He said, “Such attacks will not affect the unity among Afghans. I wish swift recovery to those wounded in the explosion.”

According to reports Afghan Police have arrested a suicide bomber from the incident site.

Also read: Kabul: After rocket attack on International Airport, three explosions reported in a span of 25 minutes

Police said, the suicide bomber carrying a sheep was looking for an opportunity to enter the mosque but on being identified by a police personnel detonated himself.

The attack came as Shia Muslims prepared to commemorate Ashura, one of the holiest dates in the Islamic calendar. It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, which is the mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed.

Terrorists attacked the Kabul airport and fired munitions a few minutes after US Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived at Afghanistan to pledge support for the government on September 27. Five people were killed in the attack. ISIS and Taliban active in the country had claimed the attack.