At least 60 killed, 200 injured in two bomb blasts during Ashoura processions in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 06) – At least 60 Shi'ites were killed in two bombing incidents in Afghanistan during the processions to commemorate Ashoura, which marks the seventh century death of the Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

At least 60 killed, 200 injured in two bomb blasts during Ashoura processions in Afghanistan

In the first suicide attack in Kabul, the bomber exploded himself in a mass of men, women and children assembled outside the Abul Fazl shrine. Mahood Khan, who is in-charge of the shrine near the presidential palace, said the blast rocked the shrine just outside a crowded courtyard where dozens of people were lined up as they filed in and out of the packed building.

The Public Health Ministry has confirmed the death of 50 worshippers at shrine, including two women and four children; while more than 160 are reported wounded in this suicide attack. With these heavy life losses, the attack was the single deadliest attack in the Afghan capital in more than three years.

In the other bomb blast four more Shi'ites were killed in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. According to details; a bomb planted with a bicycle blasted as a procession of Afghan Shi'ites was driving down the road, shouting slogans for Ashoura. Health Ministry spokesman Sakhi Kargar gave the death toll and said 21 people were wounded.

No group claimed responsibility for these deadly sectarian assaults, which are rare in Afghanistan although they are common in neighboring Pakistan.