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Blast and shooting as gunmen attack mosque in Kabul (PHOTOS) At least 13 killed in blast & shooting in Kabul mosque, ISIS claims responsibility (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. At least 13 people were killed and dozens 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.
Public Health Ministry said over 20 peple were killed and more than 30 injured, TOLO reports. Public Health Ministry said over 30 peple were killed and more than 80 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, Reuters reports citing Danish that at least 13 people are dead, including women and children.
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. Police noted they had secured the mosque and all three attackers were dead, the news agency says.
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. "At first a suicide bomber opened fire and martyred two security guards at the entrance of the mosque and then they entered inside," an eyewitness told Reuters.
More troops arrived in the area, followed by ambulances, as the gunfight continues. The attackers who broke into the mosque were wearing police uniforms, another witness told TOLO News.
Meanwhile, more explosions were heard in the area as the fighting continued, AP and local media reported. Meanwhile, more explosions were heard in the area, AP and local media reported.
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.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. 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.