Kandahar: Blast at another Shia mosque kills 16

Ground Report | New Delhi: Kandahar Blast Shia mosque; A Shiite mosque in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has exploded during Friday prayers. This is the second blast in two weeks. The blast has so far killed at least 16 people and injured 32 others.

"A total of 16 bodies and 32 injured people have been brought to the hospital so far," a spokesman for Mirwais Hospital told AFP. On the other hand, Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi confirmed the blast and said that "the blast took place during Friday prayers and a similar attack took place last Friday."

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He did not provide further details, but said an investigation was under way. It may be recalled that a suicide attack had taken place in a Shiite mosque on Friday last week in which about 46 people were killed and 140 others were injured.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack. However, no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack in Kandahar.

An eyewitness told AFP that he heard three explosions: "One came from the main entrance of the mosque, one from the south of the mosque and the third from the place where worshipers perform ablutions."

Another eyewitness confirmed that three explosions had been heard in the mosque. Afghan Taliban special forces have arrived at the scene of the blast, while locals are being asked to donate blood for the wounded, according to Reuters.

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Qari Sayyed Khosti, spokesman for the Interior Ministry in the Taliban government, tweeted: "We are saddened to learn that many people have been killed and injured in the blast on a Shia fraternity mosque in Kandahar."

He further wrote, "The special forces of the Islamic Emirate have reached the area to investigate the blast and nab the perpetrators." Eyewitnesses saw 15 ambulances entering the mosque after the blast. Many pictures are being shared on social media in which heart-wrenching scenes inside the mosque can be seen.

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