Afghanistan explosion: Influential cleric among 18 killed in blast at Herat mosque
At least another 21 people were wounded in the attack
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 18 people, including an influential cleric, were killed as an explosion tore through a crowded mosque during Friday prayers in western Afghanistan's Herat province.
Officials transported 18 bodies and 21 wounded people from Guzargah Mosque to a local hospital in the province.
Images and videos from the blast scenes showed blood-stained bodies scattered around the compound of the mosque, with the injured pleading for help.
Among those killed was Mujib-ul Rahman Ansari, a cleric known for his criticism of western powers in Afghanistan who had previously called for the decapitation of those committing "the smallest act" against the Taliban regime.
His death was confirmed by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who called him a “martyr”.
“The country’s strong and courageous religious scholar was martyred in a brutal attack,” he wrote on Twitter, vowing to “punish the perpetrators”.
Ansari is the second prominent pro-Taliban cleric to be killed in an explosion in less than a month.
Last month, top cleric Rahimullah Haqqani was killed in a suicide attack at his madrassa in Kabul. On 17 August, at least 21 people were killed in an explosion in a packed mosque in the capital.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday’s blast, although the previous mosque attacks have been claimed by Isis.
The Islamist group has primarily targeted minority communities in Afghanistan such as the Shias, and Sikhs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments