Afghanistan: Attacks at two Shia mosques; at least 40 dead
What's the story
Two separate terror attacks at Shia mosques in Afghanistan have claimed the lives of 40 people. The first attack took place at a Kabul mosque in which around 30 have been killed. At least 10 were left dead in another attack in Ghor, the central province. It is suspected the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant could be behind the strikes. Read more!
Details
Investigative teams have been deployed: Interior Ministry
In the Kabul attack, a gunman reportedly opened fire at the worshippers in the Shiite Imam Zaman mosque. Kabul Crime Branch Chief, General Mohammad Salim Almas, said an armed man "entered the mosque in Police District 13 of Kabul city," describing the attacker as a suicide bomber. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson said the cause and nature of the explosion hadn't been determined yet.
Twitter Post
Suicide bomber strikes Kabul mosque
Photos emerge of Kabul mosque attack#KabulAttack pic.twitter.com/0UZIYxcMGU
— Press TV (@PressTV) October 20, 2017
Attacks
Islamic State targeting Shia mosques in Afghanistan
A number of recent attacks on Shiite mosques in Afghanistan have been carried out by ISIL. The last such attack took place at a Shiite mosque in Kabul as the worshippers prepared to commemorate Ashura, one of the holiest Islamic days on 29 September. A suicide bomber impersonating a shepherd blew himself up near Hussainia mosque, one of the Afghan capital's prominent Shiite centers.