Pro-Taliban cleric killed in suicide bombing in Afghanistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – A prominent pro-Taliban religious cleric was killed in a suicide attack during the weekly Friday prayers in Afghanistan's northwestern Herat city.

In a statement issued in Kabul, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the killing of Mulawai Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Ansari, saying he was killed in the attack.

"The Islamic Emirate is deeply saddened by his martyrdom, and the perpetrators will be punished for their evil act," he declared, according to Bakhtar News.

According to Tolo News, Ansari was the target of the suicide bombing.

Video recordings released on social media reveal significant casualties, with people seen transporting victims of the suicide bombing from the mosque to medical facilities.

However, Taliban officials have not released the number of those killed and injured in the attack.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, ISIS/Daesh has been active in Afghanistan for a long time, and the terrorist organization has recently claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in Kabul and other parts of the country.