Kabul: At least seven people killed, 41 injured in car bomb blast near mosque after Friday prayers

Taliban on Friday (September 23) said at least seven people were killed and 41injured, including many children, in a car bomb blast as worshippers were leaving a mosqueon Friday in the Afghan capital.No one is reported to have taken responsibility for the bombing, the latest in a stream of attacks since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan just over a year ago.

The interior ministry spokesman, Abdul Nafi Takor, said the car laden with explosives was parked by the roadside near the mosque and detonated as worshippers were coming out after Friday prayers, reported PTI.Takor said, "The explosion occurred when worshippers were heading home. Police force is at the site and investigation is underway."

A mangled car engulfed in fire on a road outside the mosque could be seen in images posted on social media.

Although no group has so far claimed the attack, the militant group Islamic State has targeted Friday prayers at mosques in recent months.

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Kabul police chief spokesman Khalid Zadran said worshippers were targeted intentionally when they were exiting from the Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque after Friday prayers.

Also see |IN PICS | What life in Afghanistan looks like after one year of Taliban rule?

Four people of 14 received by Italian-NGO-run Emergency Hospital were dead on arrival as per authorities.

“Targeting mosques and worshippers is an unforgivable crime, the nation should cooperate with the regime in eliminating criminals,” said Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

The Islamic State group, a top rival of the Taliban since their takeover in Afghanistan just over a year ago, has previously targeted mosques and worshippers, and especially members of Afghanistan's minority Shiites in attacks.

The area in which the blast took place is called Wazir Akbar Khan and it is a prominent location in Kabul and was previously the location of many foreign embassies and NATO.

There have been regular bomb attacks in Kabul and other cities although overall violence has significantly dropped across Afghanistan since the war ended with the Taliban's return to power.

In the latest attack in the capital claimed by the group. two Russian embassy staff members were killed in a suicide bombing outside its offices earlier this month.

Following the Taliban's return to power, the mosque was the target of a similar attack in 2020 in which the imam was killed and several people were wounded.

(With inputs from agencies)

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