'20 dead in suicide' attack on mosque in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan

At least 20 people were killed and 30 others wounded when a suspected suicide bomber struck a Shia mosque in western Herat province Tuesday evening, according to a hospital official.

The incident took place in Bakat Abad area of relatively peaceful Herat -- the third biggest city of the country.

Herat Regional Public Hospital Mohammad Rafique confirmed to Anadolu Agency the death and injury tolls.

Regional police chief Mohammad Ayub said two attackers were involved in the incident.

A suspected suicide bomber first blew himself up among worshipers, and later a second assailant inside the mosque started shooting at people indiscriminately, Ayub said.

Dozens of people were present inside the mosque for late evening prayers called Isha when the attack took place at 8.30 p.m. local time (1600 GMT).

Taliban spokesman Qari Yosuf Ahmadi said in a statement his group had nothing to do with the attack.

On June 15, a terrorist attack on a Shia community mosque in capital Kabul involving at least two suicide bombers killed at least six people.

On June 6, an improvised explosive device attack at main gate of iconic Jama Masjid in Herat left at least eight people dead.