Many killed in blast at northern Afghanistan Shiite mosque, killing many

KABUL: According to a Telegram statement, Islamic State claimed responsibility Thursday for an attack on Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan.
According to local Taliban commanders, at least 20 people were hurt or killed by an explosion at a Shiite Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif.
“More then 20 people were hurt in an explosion in a Shiite Mosque in the second District,” said Mohammad Asif Wazeri who was speaking on behalf of the Taliban commander in Mazar-e Sharif.
Zia Zendani spokeswoman at the provincial health agency and said that about five people died and over 50 were injured in this blast.
Two days earlier, an explosion at a high-school in western Kabul’s predominantly Shiite Hazara region left at least six dead and 11 more injured. Sunni militant groups often target Shiite communities in Afghanistan, which is a religious minority.
Mazar-e Sharif resident said that she heard a loud explosion and saw smoke billowing around the mosque.
The woman did not want her name to be revealed.
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers claim that they have secured Afghanistan since August when they took power. However, international analysts and officials say there is still a risk of militants returning and multiple attacks by the Islamic State militant group.