AFGHANISTAN: Shia mosque in Herat province hit by deadly explosion

At least 30 people have been killed in an explosion at a minority Shia mosque in the Afghan province of Herat, according to local sources. Sources told Al Jazeera that 30 people were killed but Dr Mohammed Rafique Shehrzad told Associated Press news agency that 20 bodies were brought to the main hospital in Herat […]

At least 30 people have been killed in an explosion at a minority Shia mosque in the Afghan province of Herat, according to local sources.

Sources told Al Jazeera that 30 people were killed but Dr Mohammed Rafique Shehrzad told Associated Press news agency that 20 bodies were brought to the main hospital in Herat city, the capital of the western province, on Tuesday night, soon after the blast.

“There has been an explosion at the gate of Jawadia Mosque in Herat city, possibly caused by a car bomb. Ten wounded have so far been reported,” interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP news agency.

A hospital spokesperson said that the number of wounded has increased.

“More than 30 wounded have so far been brought to the hospital,” Rafeeq Shirzai told AFP.

Abdulhai Walizada, a local police spokesman, said there appeared to be more than one attacker, with a suicide bomber who detonated explosives and another who threw grenades at worshippers.