Iran Calls on Taliban to Protect Shiite Mourners after Fatal Blast in Kabul
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned a deadly blast in a Shiite residential area of Kabul, calling on the Afghan caretaker government to step up efforts to ensure the security of people performing Muharram mourning rituals.
In a statement released on Friday night, Nasser Kanaani expressed Iran’s deepest sympathy over the martyrdom and injury of innocent Afghan citizens in the blast that hit a Shiite residential area in Kabul earlier in the day, and strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
Offering condolences to the families of victims of the explosion, the Iranian spokesman said the authorities of the Afghan caretaker government are expected to take more precautionary measures to ensure security as the Shiite Muslims are attending the Muharram mourning ceremonies in the mosques.
The Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the Friday attack which the Afghan police said has killed at least eight people and wounded 18 others. The terrorist group said in a statement that 20 people were killed and injured in the attack in western Kabul.
"The explosion happened in a crowded place," police spokesman Khalid Zadran said.
A senior Taliban security official said primary investigations revealed that explosives were placed in a vegetable cart and the blast resulted in the wounding and killing of more than 50 people, including women and children.
