By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, Afghanistan (AA): A suspected suicide attack on a Shia Muslim mosque in the capital Kabul killed at least five people and wounded 27 as worshippers prepare to commemorate Ashura on Sunday. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack on its Amaq news site.
An Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed the attack on the place of worship in the relatively posh and secure neighbourhood of Qala Fatehullah.
According to Etelat-e-Roz daily, the blast took place at the mosque entrance after security forces managed to prevent the suicide bomber from going inside at the Hassainya mosque.. A police guard intercepted and shot at him. The attacker then detonated explosives strapped to his body just as worshipers were dispersing after offering Friday prayers.
Security officials said at least two attackers were killed as they carried out an operation that appeared to be aimed at hitting the mosque just a month after 20 people were killed during prayers at another Shi’a Muslim mosque in Kabul.
President Ashraf Ghani has strongly condemned the bombing, saying such terrorist acts will fail to divide Afghans.
On Thursday night, an improvised explosive device blast outside another mosque in Kabul killed three people, including two policemen and a civilian and injured 16 others, according to the ministry spokesman Najib Danish.
Security is on high alert in Kabul, keeping in view the potential threats to the Shia Muslim minority in the Islamic month of Muharram, when the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Husayn, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and his companions is marked with public processions and gatherings at mosques.
The relatively peaceful coexistence between followers of different sects in Afghanistan has recently come under attack from pro-Daesh militants, who have killed scores of Shia citizens in terrorist attacks.
Additional report by The Muslim News
[Photo: Smoke rises after earlier suicide bomber attacked Kabul International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on September 27, 2017. An Afghan woman was killed and 11 other civilians were wounded. Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Photographer: Haroon Sabawoon/AA]