The explosion at the Khalifa Sahib mosque, located in the Darulaman area to the west of the city, was The latest in a series of attacks on civilian targets in the capital and provinces.
The explosion tore through the mosque, damaged the roof, the place for worshipers, the United Nations office for humanitarian affairs (OCHA) in the country said, citing initial reports.
Casualties could be higher
Local hospitals reported much higher death tolls, with dozens reported dead and injured, many of them children.
A hospital run by the NGO EMERGENCY alone took in more than 20 victims, two of whom died on arrival.
Ramiz Alakbarov, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, issued statement condemned the “disgusting” attack.
Indiscriminate targeting
“Today’s explosion, come on the last Friday of the week of Ramadanyet another blow to the people of Afghanistan, who continue to suffer from insecurity and unrelenting violence,” he said.
“That is unscrupulous when civilians are indiscriminately targeted when they go to do their daily business, gather to pray, go to school or market, or on their way to work. ”
On Thursday, at least nine people were killed and 15 injured, in separate explosions on two minibuses in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif.
Alakbarov reiterated that directing attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including mosques, is prohibited under international humanitarian law.
Totally disinterested in ‘religious sanctity’
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Friday’s explosion follows a recent series of deadly attacks in Kabul, Kunduz and Mazar-e-Sharif, which appear to have specifically targeted the minority communities of Hazara, Shia and Sufi.
Two UN staff members and their families, who were inside the mosque at the time of the explosion, were directly affected.
“Today’s attack, carried out on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, completely disregards human life and the sanctity of religion. No words are strong enough to condemn this despicable act, targeting a place of worship, as Muslims across Afghanistan prepare to celebrate Eid,” speak Mette Knudsen, United Nations Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.
“Recent attacks against civilians, targeting ethnic and religious minorities, represent a worrying trend In afghanistan. These violations of international humanitarian and human rights law must cease immediately.”
