Explosion at mosque in Afghanistan’s Mazar-i-Sharif leaves casualties

A large explosion has hit a mosque belonging to Shia Muslims in Afghanistan’s northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, martyring at least five people and wounding several dozen others.

Mohammad Asif Wazeri, the spokesman for the Taliban commander in Mazar-i-Sharif, told Reuters that the blast happened inside a mosque in the 2nd District on Thursday, leaving more than 20 killed and injured.

Hospital sources said at least five people were martyred and several dozen injured as the explosion went off when worshipers were saying their prayers at the mosque, adding that some of the wounded were in critical condition.

The sources further said all hospital rooms were filled to capacity and there were no free beds at the moment.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

SS