KABUL: Multiple casualties are feared as a blast struck a mosque during Friday prayers in Pol-e-Khomri city, the provincial capital of Baghlan, in northern Afghanistan, according to a statement by a police spokesperson.
The explosion caused multiple casualties, although specific figures have yet to be disclosed. The explosion left a scene of chaos inside the mosque, as showed in footage released by the Taliban administration, showing debris scattered across the mosque’s red-carpeted floor, personal belongings strewn around, and bodies covered with shrouds.
Baghlan police spokesperson, Sher Ahmad Borhani, stated that detailed information about the intensity of the blast and the casualties would be shared later. The authorities are actively investigating the incident to determine the full extent of the damage and the number of victims.
Daesh Attacks in Afghanistan
Although no group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, suspicion is likely to fall on the Daesh group, which has been involved in the past in large-scale attacks in Afghanistan. The regional affiliate of Daesh, known as the Daesh in Khorasan Province, has intensified its attacks on mosques across the country following the Taliban’s takeover of power in August 2021.
Daesh has been operating in Afghanistan since 2014 and is regarded as the most serious security challenge faced by the country’s Taliban rulers. After their takeover, the Taliban initiated a comprehensive crackdown against the militant group, aiming to curb its influence and prevent further violence. However, periodic attacks by Daesh and other extremist factions continue to pose a serious threat to the security situation in Afghanistan.
