Blast in Afghan capital Kabul mosque, casualties feared

KABUL, Afghanistan

A violent explosion took place on Wednesday in a mosque in the Afghan capital of Kabul, local police said.

Halid Zadran, the spokesperson of the Kabul Police Department, reported that an explosion occurred at the Abu Bakr al Sadiq Mosque during evening prayers.

Noting that there were dead and injured due to the explosion, Zadran did not make an official statement on the casualties.

He said a large number of security and first aid teams were dispatched to the area.

Emergency Hospital, one of the largest healthcare centers in Kabul, announced on Twitter that 27 patients, including five children, were treated there, while the Al Jazeera network has claimed that about 20 people lost their lives.

There have yet been no claims of responsibility for the attack.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for Afghanistan's interim administration, condemned the explosion but did not providing information on casualties.

Mujahid said the perpetrators would be found as soon as possible.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar