21 dead in Kabul mosque explosion

A blast that tore through a Kabul mosque during evening prayers on Wednesday killed 21 people, Kabul police confirmed Thursday.

Police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said that another 33 people had been injured in the blast.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) say they are restoring security to the war-torn country, which has seen an overall drop in violence since they defeated a U.S.-backed government a year ago.

However, several attacks have been claimed by Daesh.

Emergency Hospital, a facility run by an Italian NGO that specialises in treating victims of war, said in a statement it had admitted 27 people, including five children, who had been wounded in the blasts, Reuters reported.

Afghanistan-e-Man: Tea time for these two young boys while picnicking outside Jola village in Shibar district, Bamiyan province
Photos by: Ali Akbar Khairkhowa

During the burial ceremony for the victims, religious scholars condemned the recent attacks on places of worship and called on security institutions to ensure the safety of citizens.

Among those who spoke out against the incident was former president Hamid Karzai and former chairman of the national reconciliation council Abdullah Abdullah. Both of them condemned the explosion and said it was anti-human and contrary to Islamic principles.

This is the third security incident targeting religious establishments in the past month – the month of Muharram.

The Islamic Emirate has said that the perpetrators of this blast will be tracked down and brought to justice.