Kabul mosque blast kills at least 21

A blast which ripped through a mosque packed with worshippers in the Afghan capital killed at least 21 people and wounded more than two dozen others, police said Thursday.

The number of bombings across Afghanistan has declined since the Taliban returned to power in August last year, but several attacks -- many targeting minority communities -- have rocked the country in recent months, including some claimed by the jihadist Islamic State group.

No group has claimed responsibility for Wednesday evening’s blast at Kabul’s Sediqia Mosque, which has an adjoining madrassa.

“He was my cousin; may God forgive him,” said a neighbourhood resident who gave his name as Masiullah, describing how he learnt of a relative’s death in the blast.

“One year had passed from his marriage, he was 27 years old and his name was Fardin... he was a good person.”

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said 21 people were killed and 33 wounded.

The Italian non-governmental organisation Emergency, which operates a hospital in Kabul, said Wednesday evening it had received 27 victims, including three fatalities.

Most of the patients were suffering “shell and burn injuries”, it said via email.

In a later tweet, the hospital said five children were among those it treated, including a seven-year-old.

Local hospitals contacted by AFP said they were not permitted to provide details of casualties they had treated.

Taliban officials insist they have full control of security in the country, but frequently deny or downplay incidents reported on the country’s vibrant social media.