Explosion targets major Afghan mosque before Friday prayers, kills 18
The death of a major imam, in addition to 18 other deaths so far, has been reported.
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![Taliban fighters block a road after the blast during Friday prayers in Gazargah Mosque, the largest in Herat [AFP]](https://media-en.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2022/9/2/1900f3f7-bafb-4314-8471-ebb7e6a5524a.jpg)
Taliban fighters block a road after the blast during Friday prayers in Gazargah Mosque, the largest mosque in Herat, Afghanistan. (AFP)
A major explosion in Afghanistan rocked the Herat district's largest mosque, killing the mosque's imam, Mujib Rahman Ansari.
The imam, who was deemed influential by many, was killed in Gazargah Mosque just before Friday prayers; the explosion caused many casualties, according to local media.
#BreakingNews
— Conflict Watch PSF (@AmRaadPSF) September 2, 2022
Blast in ‘Jame'a Masjid’ of #Herat province of #Afghanistan, Mullah Ansar along with his brother has been killed.
About 100 people are injured (10+ lost their lives) in that deadly bomb blast. Several are injured.
People've gathered around #Herat hospital in pic... pic.twitter.com/YqLffQWlL7
Gory images circulated on social media showing blood-stained worshippers' bodies lying on the ground in the shattered mosque.
Herat policeman Mahmood Rasoli weighed in: "Mujib Rahman Ansari, with some of his guards and civilians, have been killed on their way toward the mosque."
The explosion has claimed the lives of 18.
The Taliban's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, expressed his condolences over the imam's death in a tweet, stressing that the perpetrators must be punished.
No side has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet.
In early August, a bomb exploded in Kabul, killing 8 civilians in a heavily residential area according to an Afghani official. The bomb was attached to a handcart loaded with vegetables in an area where residents buy their daily groceries. ISIS-K claimed the attack in a message on their Telegram channel.
