This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/400835-mosque-attack-militants-shooting/

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Blast and shooting as gunmen attack mosque in Kabul (PHOTOS) Blast and shooting as gunmen attack mosque in Kabul (PHOTOS)
(about 1 hour later)
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.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.
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.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.
As of now, information on the total number of dead and injured varies.As of now, information on the total number of dead and injured varies.
Two dead and 15 wounded were brought to city hospitals, Ismail Kawosi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed to Reuters. Public Health Ministry said over 20 peple were killed and more than 30 injured, TOLO reports.
Earlier, an unnamed official at the interior ministry told Reuters that there were 14 civilian casualties and two dead police officers.
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.
The attackers – apparently four in total – who broke into the mosque were wearing police uniforms, an eyewitness told TOLO News.The attackers – apparently four in total – who broke into the mosque were wearing police uniforms, an eyewitness told TOLO News.
More troops arrived in the area, followed by ambulances, as the gunfight continues.More troops arrived in the area, followed by ambulances, as the gunfight continues.
Meanwhile, more explosions were heard in the area as the fighting continues, AP and local media reported. Meanwhile, more explosions were heard in the area as the fighting continued, AP and local media reported.
The attack came as Muslims were preparing to attend Friday prayers. No group has claimed credit for the attack so far, Reuters reports. Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS, ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the carnage through Amag news agency, which is affiliated with the terrorist group. Local officials have not, however, confirmed that IS is indeed behind the assault.
The attack came as Muslims were preparing to attend Friday prayers. 
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.