14 killed in bomb blast in Afghanistan

“The explosion happened at the gate of the Shiite mosque in the centre of Balkh district (in Balkh province),” said provincial governor’s spokesman Munir Ahmad  Farhad, adding that 14 people were killed and at least 24 injured. His account was confirmed by the provincial deputy police chief. 

Islamic State (IS) on Wednesday claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack that killed at least 18 worshippers at a shrine in the Afghan capital Kabul, raising fears of sectarian violence after a string of attacks on the country’s Shi’ite minority. 

The claim of responsibility for Tuesday’s attack, released online, came as the minority gathered to observe Ashura, one of its holiest days, in commemorations subdued because of security fears, as well as the funerals of the dead. 

The attacker in Kabul, said to be wearing a police uniform, entered the Karte Shakhi mosque on Tuesday night and opened fire on a crowd of Shi’ite Muslims gathered for Ashura, which marks the seventh-century death of a grandson of the prophet Mohammed. Islamic State said the attacker detonated a suicide vest after firing all his ammunition, but security forces said they shot the man. 

IS also targetted Shi’ites in July in a suicide attack that killed more than 80 people.