Several dead after explosion at Afghanistan mosque, witnesses and Taliban say – National

A robust explosion in a mosque frequented by a spiritual minority group in northern Afghanistan on Friday has left a number of casualties, witnesses and the Taliban‘s spokesman stated.

The blast occurred in a Shiite mosque in Kunduz province through the weekly Friday prayer service on the Gozar-e-Sayed Abad Mosque when members of the Shiite non secular minority usually are available massive numbers for worship. Witness Ali Reza stated he was praying on the time of the explosion and reported seeing many casualties.

Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated the Shiite mosque was the goal and {that a} “massive quantity” of worshippers have been killed and wounded. He stated Taliban particular forces had arrived to the scene and have been investigating the incident.

The reason for the blast was not instantly clear. No group has but claimed accountability for it.

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The Taliban management has been grappling with a rising risk from the native Islamic State affiliate, often called the Islamic State in Khorasan. IS militants have ramped up assaults to focus on their rivals, together with two lethal bombings in Kabul.

IS has additionally focused Afghanistan’s non secular minorities in assaults.