Afghanistan: More than 20 killed in bomb attack on a mosque in Kabul

At least 21 people were killed in a bomb attack on a busy mosque in Kabul. According to police, 33 other visitors to the mosque were injured in the blast on Wednesday during evening prayers. According to police spokesman Chalid Sadran, an explosive device exploded in the building. Initially, no group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The explosion took place in a district northwest of the Afghan capital. Most patients suffered shrapnel injuries and burns.

Taliban spokesman Sabihullah Mujahid confirmed the blast killed and wounded, but gave no figures. “Civilian killers” would “soon be punished for their crimes,” he said on Twitter.

Last week, Taliban cleric Rahimullah Hakkani was killed in a suicide attack in Kabul. The Islamic State (IS) jihadist militia claimed responsibility for the attack. Hakkani had repeatedly preached against IS.

Violence in the country has declined significantly since the Taliban took power a year ago. However, IS continues to carry out attacks regularly, mainly targeting religious minorities such as Shias, Sufis and Sikhs. Experts see the jihadist militia as one of the main challenges for the radical Islamic Taliban.