Afghanistan: Explosion in a mosque kills at least 33

Taliban soldiers and medics await the arrival of the injured outside a hospital after an attack that left dozens dead at an Imam Sahib mosque in Kunduz province.

AFP - -

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At least 33 people, including children, were killed and 43 others injured in an explosion that hit a Sufi mosque during Friday prayers in northern Afghanistan, the Taliban said, a day after two bloody attacks claimed by the Islamic State group.

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“ 

The explosion occurred at a mosque in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz, causing the death of 33 civilians, including children ,”

government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid

 said on Twitter

.

A member of the medical staff of a nearby hospital also reported to Agence France-Presse that between 30 and 40 people had been admitted to this establishment after this explosion.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August after overthrowing US-backed authorities there, the number of bombings has declined, but jihadists and IS have continued their attacks on targets they deem heretical.

We condemn this crime

(...)

and express our deepest sympathy to the bereaved

 ," said Zabihullah Mujahid.

Images posted on social networks, which could not be immediately verified, showed the walls holed by impacts of the Mawlavi Sikandar mosque, frequented by Sufis.

Jihadist groups such as the Islamic State organization have a deep hatred for this Muslim current which they consider heretical and which they accuse of polytheism - the greatest sin in Islam - for having asked for the intercession of dead saints .

Serial attacks

 The show at the mosque was horrible.

Everyone praying inside was either injured or killed 

,” said Mohammad Esah, the owner of a nearby store. 

This explosion comes the day after two attacks claimed by the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, which in total left at least 16 dead and dozens injured.

Twelve worshipers died and 58 were injured in an attack Thursday against a Shiite mosque in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif (north).

On the same day, at least four people were killed and 18 injured in Kunduz when a bomb exploded on a bicycle as a vehicle carrying civilian mechanics working for a Taliban military unit passed.

(

With

AFP)

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  • Afghanistan

  • Terrorism