KABUL: A huge explosion struck a masjid in Kabul during evening prayers, witnesses and police said, more than 30 are feared dead and many injured.

Police said there were multiple casualties but did not say how many. One Taliban intelligence official told Reuters that as many as 35 people may have been killed and toll could rise further. Al Jazeera quoted an unidentified official as giving a death toll of 20.

 Witnesses told Reuters powerful explosion was heard in a northern Kabul neighbourhood, shattering windows in nearby buildings. Ambulances rushed to spot. "A blast happened inside a masjid, blast has casualties, but numbers are not clear yet," Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran told Reuters.

Taliban intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity said explosion occurred in a masjid among worshippers in Khair Khana area of Kabul. Imam of masjid was among those killed and toll could still rise, source added. Intelligence teams were at blast site and investigations were ongoing.

Other officials in Taliban government did not reply to multiple requests to confirm number of casualties.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 18 2022

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