Suicide attack kills 27 at Shia mosque in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – A suicide attack inside a Shia mosque in the Afghan capital Kabul has killed at least 27 people Monday.

Col. Fareedon Obaidi, head of investigations for Kabul Police, told Anadolu Agency a lone suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside the Baqar Ulom Mosque where Shia Muslim worshippers had gathered for the ritual mourning of Islam's Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein, as they do on the 40th day after the anniversary of his death.

Staff at the Istiqlal Public Hospital, where most of the victims were treated, confirmed at least 27 people died and over 30 were wounded.

The attack has continued an emerging trend of sectarian violence, particularly targeting Shia Muslims, which until recently had not been so evident in comparison to neighboring countries like Pakistan.

In July this year, more than 81 Afghan citizens, mostly members of the Shia Hazara community, died in a twin-suicide attack on a political rally in Kabul, which was claimed by the Daesh militant group.