Afghanistan Mosque Suicide Blast Martyrs 27, Injures 35

Local Editor

A massive suicide blast at a Shiite mosque in Kabul martyred at least 27 people on Monday and injured 35 as worshippers gathered for a religious ceremony, officials said.

"It was a suicide bomber who blew himself up among worshippers inside the mosque, killing 27 and wounding 35," senior police official Fridon Obaidi said.

Police cordoned off the area around the Baqirul Olum mosque in the west of the Afghan capital.

"Until now, 17 wounded and eight dead bodies have been carried to hospitals by the Kabul ambulance. The number of casualties could be bigger," said Mohmmad Ismail Kawusi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health.

According to report, the suicide bomber reportedly detonated his explosive vest after entering the Baqer ul Olum mosque in police district 6 of Kabul.

According to 1TV channel, the blast took place during a Shiite ceremony at the mosque, west of Kabul.

Several of the injured had been taken to hospital. This was the second blast to rock Kabul on Monday.

However, there was no immediately claim of responsibility.

Earlier in the day, a blast occurred in another Kabul's district. A car bomb blast left one dead and one injured in Bagrami district, Basir Mujahid, a Kabul police spokesman confirmed to Pajhwok.

In July, more than 80 people were killed in an attack on a demonstration by the mostly Shia Hazara minority that was claimed by Daesh [Arabic acronym for "ISIS" / "ISIL"] militants.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team