At least 50 killed in mosque explosion in Afghanistan

Two men run from the scene of an explosion at the Khalifa Sahib Mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan on April 29 reuters

Reuters reported that a large explosion occurred at the Khalifa Sahib Mosque in the west of the capital Kabul of Afghanistan in the early afternoon of April 29, killing more than 50 people. It was the latest in a series of attacks against civilian targets in Afghanistan in month Ramadan of the Muslims.

Besmullah Habib, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan’s interior ministry, said 10 people have been confirmed dead so far.

The attack happened as devotees were gathering to perform an activity known as Zikr after prayers on April 29. Sayed Fazil Agha, the head of the church, said he believes the suicide bomber joined them in the ceremony and detonated it.

“Black smoke was rising and spreading everywhere, dead bodies were everywhere,” Agha said, adding that his nephews were also among the dead.

A medical source said that so far, hospitals have received 66 bodies and 78 injured.

The Emergency Hospital in downtown Kabul said it was treating 21 patients and two had died on arrival. Staff at another hospital said they had received 49 patients and about five bodies.

America and its mission United Nation in Afghanistan condemned the attack. At least two UN staff members and their families were inside the mosque when the blast occurred.

“There are no strong enough words to condemn this despicable act,” said Mette Knudsen, the UN Secretary-General’s deputy special representative for Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban government, also condemned the blast and said the perpetrators would be found and punished.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. In recent weeks, many Afghan civilians have been killed in attacks, some by the Islamic State (IS) group.