The imam, who was leading Friday prayers at the mosque for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, was among those killed in the blast. At least 12 people were killed in a mosque blast on the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Friday, shattering the calm on the second day of a holiday ceasefire between the warring Taliban and government forces.
Among those killed was the imam, who was leading Friday prayers at the mosque for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr. More than a dozen people were wounded. No group has so far claimed the attack and the Taliban denied responsibility.
Afghans have been cautiously enjoying a rare respite from violence following the start of a three-day truce between Taliban militants and Afghan forces which began Thursday, after weeks of intense fighting.
“The death toll has jumped to 12 killed, including the imam of the mosque, and 15 others are wounded,” said Ferdaws Framurz, a spokesman for the Kabul police, updating an earlier toll.
It was also the centre of the biggest drone operation by US special forces. At its peak the base had about 26,000 US and NATO personnel.
The military has for years been steadily decreasing its presence there, accelerated after Washington struck a deal with the Taliban last year to completely withdraw from Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.
In other news – Ten family members killed in Israeli strike on Gaza
Ten members of a single extended family were killed in an Israeli air strike early Saturday on the western Gaza Strip, medics in the Palestinian enclave said.
The eight children and two women were killed when a three-storey building in Shati refugee camp collapsed following an Israeli strike, medical sources said. Learn more
Source: hindustantimes
