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Ashura attack kills Shia Muslims at Afghan mosque Kabul shrine attack kills Shia Muslims during Ashura
(about 3 hours later)
At least 14 people have been killed in an attack on a shrine in Kabul, as Shia Muslims prepared for a religious day of mourning. At least 14 people have been killed in an attack on a shrine in the Afghan capital, Kabul as Shia Muslims prepared for a religious day of mourning.
A crowd had gathered at the Karte Sakhi shrine in Afghanistan's capital to mark Ashura, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. A crowd had gathered at the Karte Sakhi shrine for Ashura, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Eyewitnesses reported an explosion and gunfire in the area. No group has claimed responsibility.
The shrine at Karte Sakhi is one of Kabul's largest. Meanwhile, hundreds of Afghan troops have been deployed to drive Taliban fighters from the capital of Helmand province, Lashkar Gah, in the south.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior said the incident was over, with at least 14 people killed and 26 injured. One of the dead was a police officer, he said. Militants have been pushed back to the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, a strategically important city, local officials told the BBC.
Lashkar Gah is reportedly in lock down with only a few shops open and many families trying to flee the fighting.
Schools and universities across Helmand have been closed indefinitely.
The new assault is the Taliban's most concerted push yet into the city.
The attack in Kabul happened in one of the city's largest shrines.
One of the dead was a police officer, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior said.
Sediq Sediqqi said police special forces who responded to the scene found and killed only one gunman. Initial reports said three attackers were involved.
An eyewitness said the attacker was dressed in a police uniform.
The death of Hussein, which is commemorated during Ashura, was an event that led to the split in Islam into two main sects - Sunni and Shia Muslims.The death of Hussein, which is commemorated during Ashura, was an event that led to the split in Islam into two main sects - Sunni and Shia Muslims.
The government had warned of possible attacks during the day.The government had warned of possible attacks during the day.
An attack in July, claimed by so-called Islamic State, killed 80 people, but before then Afghanistan had not seen the same level of violence against Shia Muslims as neighbouring Pakistan.An attack in July, claimed by so-called Islamic State, killed 80 people, but before then Afghanistan had not seen the same level of violence against Shia Muslims as neighbouring Pakistan.
Shia Muslims make up about 15% of Afghanistan's population, and many of them come from the Hazara ethnic group.Shia Muslims make up about 15% of Afghanistan's population, and many of them come from the Hazara ethnic group.