Afghanistan: US condemns twin terror attacks on mosques

The US today condemned the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Afghanistan's capital Kabul and Ghor province in which at least 63 people were killed.  During Friday prayers, suicide bombers yesterday struck a Shiite mosque in Kabul and a Sunni mosque in western Ghorprovince.

"In the face of these senseless and cowardly acts, our commitment to Afghanistan is unwavering," State Departmentspokesperson Heather Nauert said. The United States stands with the government and people of Afghanistan and will continue to support their efforts toachieve peace and security for their country, she said.

In a statement, Nauert strongly condemned yesterday's attacks, as well as the other attacks carried out across thecountry this week. She hailed the Afghan government and its security forces for their response to the attacks.

"We commend the government and security forces of Afghanistan for their response to these attacks, and we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed," the spokesperson said.

In the attack in Kabul, a suicide bomber walked into the Imam Zaman Mosque, a Shiite mosque in the western Dashte-e-Barchi neighbourhood where he detonated his explosives vest, killing 30 and wounding 45, said Major General Alimast Momand at the Interior Ministry.

The suicide bombing in Ghor struck a Sunni mosque, also during Friday prayers and killed 33 people, including awarlord who was apparently the target of the attack, said Mohammad Iqbal Nizami, the spokesman for the provincial chiefof police. No group immediately claimed responsibility for either attack, the latest in a devastating week that saw Talibanattacks kill scores across the war-torn country.