Massive blast at Friday prayers kills pro-Taliban Imam, 18 others
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Kabul: A massive bomb blast inside one of the largest mosques in Afghanistan killed its influential Imam along with others. Details of the explosion, which happened ahead of Friday prayers at the country's western city of Herat, are being awaited, Agence France-Presse reported.
Associated Press reported that at least 18 people, other than the Imam, were killed in the blast, while at least 21 were injured.
The Imam Mujib ur Rahman Ansari, who is actively involved in Afghan politics, was the one known victim of the blast at Gazargah Mosque. Ansari was a pro-Taliban cleric and was influential in the Taliban regime. He is known for his fiery speeches, such as the one he delivered in July in the capital, suggesting the beheading of those who commit "the smallest act against our Islamic government", Agence France-Presse quoted.
Photographs appeared on social media, which featured blood-stained bodies scattered at the mosque compound.