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Blast and shooting as gunmen attack mosque in Kabul (PHOTOS) Blast and shooting as gunmen attack mosque in Kabul (PHOTOS)
(35 minutes later)
An explosion hit Imam Zaman Mosque in Kabul on the day of Muslim Friday prayers, followed by gunfire, Afghan police and Interior Ministry said. An explosion hit Imam Zaman Mosque in Kabul on the day of Muslim Friday prayers, followed by gunfire, the Afghan Interior Ministry and police said. A number of people were killed and injured in the assault, authorities say.
Najib Danish, spokesman for Interior Ministry, has confirmed the assault. The official said a Special Forces unit made entry into the building. The assailants stormed the mosque at around 1:15pm local time, local Tolo News reported. A Special Forces unit entered the building following the attack, Najib Danish, spokesman for the interior ministry, confirmed.
At least two police officers were killed and two more wounded, local TOLO News reports citing the spokesperson. As of now, information on the total number of dead and injured varies.
The Afghan Health Ministry also said two people have been killed and 11 others injured, according to TOLO. Two dead and 15 wounded were brought to city hospitals, Ismail Kawosi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed to Reuters.
However, an unnamed official at the interior ministry also told the news agency that there were 14 civilian casualties.
Najib Danish earlier said that two police officers died, also confirming that one of the attackers blew himslef up inside the building.
A security guard standing outside the mosque as well as a cleric who was performing prayers were killed in the attack, police official Mohammed Jamil and Mir Hussain Nasiri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerical council, said, according to AP.A security guard standing outside the mosque as well as a cleric who was performing prayers were killed in the attack, police official Mohammed Jamil and Mir Hussain Nasiri, a member of Afghanistan's Shiite clerical council, said, according to AP.
Nasiri added the gunmen managed to take over part of the mosque with separate prayer areas for men and women.Nasiri added the gunmen managed to take over part of the mosque with separate prayer areas for men and women.
According to a Kabul police official as well as eywitness accounts, a blast occurred inside the mosque prior to the gunfire.  The attackers – apparently four in total – who broke into the mosque were wearing police uniforms, an eyewitness told TOLO News.
Najib Danish also confirmed that one of the attackers blew himslef up inside the building. More troops arrived in the area, followed by ambulances, as the gunfight continues.
The assailants stormed the mosque at around 1:15pm local time, reportedly killing the guards. People at the site told TOLO that many were injured in the assault and were taken to a medical facility. Meanwhile, more explosions were heard in the area as the fighting continues, AP and local media reported.
The gunmen – apparently four in total – who broke into the mosque were wearing police uniforms, an eyewitness told the news outlet.
Troops are said to be arriving in the area, followed by ambulances, as the gunfight continues.
Meanwhile, more explosions were heard in the area as the fighting continues, AP reported.
The attack came as Muslims were preparing to attend Friday prayers. No group has claimed credit for the attack so far, Reuters reports.The attack came as Muslims were preparing to attend Friday prayers. No group has claimed credit for the attack so far, Reuters reports.
It also came just three days after a rocket attack struck the Afghan capital on Monday, with one of the projectiles hitting the quarter of the presidential palace and foreign embassies.It also came just three days after a rocket attack struck the Afghan capital on Monday, with one of the projectiles hitting the quarter of the presidential palace and foreign embassies.
The assault did not result in casualties. Prior to the assault, US President Donald Trump announced a more aggressive strategy to defeat the Taliban.The assault did not result in casualties. Prior to the assault, US President Donald Trump announced a more aggressive strategy to defeat the Taliban.