An explosion in Herat mosque killed many people including a pro-Taliban imam

 

As a result of an explosion in a mosque in the western city of Herat, Afghanistan, 18 people, including Taliban supporters and influential religious leaders, have been killed. According to the news agency AFP, the explosion took place before the Friday prayer in a mosque called Ghazargah, in which the imam of the mosque, Mujeeb Rehman Ansari, was killed.

Herat governor's spokesman Hamidullah Mutwakkel said that 18 people were killed and 23 injured in the blast. Earlier, Herat Police Spokesman Mehmood Rasooli had said that "many civilians and guards, including the imam of the mosque, Mujeeb Rehman Ansari, were killed in the blast."

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid expressed his sorrow over the death of Imam Masjid Rehman Ansari in his tweet and said that the attackers will be punished. So far, the group has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mujeeb Rahman Ansari was one of the most influential religious leaders of Afghanistan. He was a staunch supporter of the Taliban and was known for his provocative speeches. In a gathering of thousands of people in July last year, Mujeeb Rehman Ansari strongly supported the Taliban and said that those who violated the Islamic government should be beheaded.

The Taliban have generally claimed that the security situation in the country has improved since they assumed power. However, contrary to the Taliban's claim, there have been several explosions in different cities of Afghanistan in the past few years, in which mosques were also targeted. Within a month, two influential religious leaders of the Taliban have been killed in an explosion. Earlier on August 12, Rahimullah Haqqani was killed in a suicide attack on a seminary in Kabul.

Rahimullah Haqqani was a staunch opponent of ISIS and used to speak against the terrorist group. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

The United Nations has expressed concern over the increasing explosions in Afghanistan. The responsibility for some of these explosions has been accepted by the local branch of Daesh "Khorasan".

Two days ago, on August 31, the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the one year of the Taliban rule have been completed. On this occasion, the Taliban celebrated and declared a public holiday across the country.