Alwaght- ISIS Takfiri terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Shiite Mosque in the Afghan capital city of Kabul which left over 28 worshipers dead during Friday prayers.
The incident took place after a group of terrorists launched an attack on Imam Zaman mosque killing over 28 and at least 50. The casualties and injured include women, children, and security personnel.
Witnesses say after the initial blast at the mosque, in the Qala-Najara neighborhood in north Kabul, gunmen stormed in and began shooting.
The Afghan Ministry of Interior spokesman Najib Danish confirmed the incident and said over 50 people were killed or wounded in the attack.
Danish further added that at least ten civilians including women and children, a personnel of the Afghan police special forces, and two personnel of the public order police forces were among those killed.
He said at least thirty civilians, 7 personnel of the special forces of the police forces, and a personal of the public order police forces were among those wounded.
According to Danish, the security forces managed to evacuate at least 107 people from the site of the incident.
Mir Hussain Nasiri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerical council, said the mosque could accommodate up to 1,000 people.
A sprawling cavernous prayer hall dominates the main floor. The second floor is where the women pray. Nasiri said when police initially sought to get into the mosque, the attackers blocked the door leading to the second floor, which he said would mean they held the women hostage.
ISIS's affiliate in Afghanistan claimed responsibility. ISIS-linked Aamaq website said on Friday two of its fighters carried out the assault. It did not give further details.
The attack was the latest by ISIS to hit the Afghan capital. Last month it hit the Iraqi embassy in Kabul and afterwards issued a warning to all Shia in Afghanistan, saying its cadres would attack Shia places of worship.
Within days of the embassy attack, ISIS also took responsibility for a suicide assault on a Shia mosque in western Herat province that killed 32 people.
Afghanistan has been torn by decades of Taliban-led militancy and the 2001 invasion of the US and its allies. ISIS has also emerged there more recently.
