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| Deadly Attack on Shiite Mosque in Afghanistan | Deadly Attack on Shiite Mosque in Afghanistan |
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| KABUL, Afghanistan — Suicide attackers stormed a mosque in Kabul during Friday Prayer, officials said, causing casualties and prompting the authorities to seal off the area as security forces moved in, the latest in a series of deadly attacks against Shiites in Afghanistan. | KABUL, Afghanistan — Suicide attackers stormed a mosque in Kabul during Friday Prayer, officials said, causing casualties and prompting the authorities to seal off the area as security forces moved in, the latest in a series of deadly attacks against Shiites in Afghanistan. |
| Worshipers who had jumped out of windows and fled barefoot described scenes of panic when gunmen entered the compound soon after an explosion, believed to have been caused by grenades thrown at security guards at the entrance. | Worshipers who had jumped out of windows and fled barefoot described scenes of panic when gunmen entered the compound soon after an explosion, believed to have been caused by grenades thrown at security guards at the entrance. |
| Najib Danish, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said two police officers had been killed at the gate of the compound and eight others had been wounded. Fourteen civilians were killed or wounded, he said, but he did not provide a breakdown. | Najib Danish, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said two police officers had been killed at the gate of the compound and eight others had been wounded. Fourteen civilians were killed or wounded, he said, but he did not provide a breakdown. |
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| The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack. “We are not involved in today’s attack on a mosque in the Khair Khana area of Kabul,” a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a WhatsApp message. He attributed the attack to groups, which he did not name, “that are trying to create discord within our nation.” | The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack. “We are not involved in today’s attack on a mosque in the Khair Khana area of Kabul,” a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a WhatsApp message. He attributed the attack to groups, which he did not name, “that are trying to create discord within our nation.” |
| Muhammad Salem Almas, who leads the criminal investigation division of the Kabul police, and who was at the scene, said that two assailants had entered the compound, although other police officials put the number at four. | Muhammad Salem Almas, who leads the criminal investigation division of the Kabul police, and who was at the scene, said that two assailants had entered the compound, although other police officials put the number at four. |
| Deadly attacks against Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan have increased in recent months, and a local affiliate of the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for many of them. On Aug. 1, the group attacked a Shiite mosque in the western city of Herat during evening prayer, killing almost 40. | Deadly attacks against Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan have increased in recent months, and a local affiliate of the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for many of them. On Aug. 1, the group attacked a Shiite mosque in the western city of Herat during evening prayer, killing almost 40. |
| Eidi Muhammad Akbari, who fled to safety in the attack on Friday, said that hundreds of people had been stuck inside. “Half of the mosque was full of worshipers — women upstairs and men downstairs, hundreds of men and women,” he said, pacing barefoot. “They threw a grenade inside and then entered.” | Eidi Muhammad Akbari, who fled to safety in the attack on Friday, said that hundreds of people had been stuck inside. “Half of the mosque was full of worshipers — women upstairs and men downstairs, hundreds of men and women,” he said, pacing barefoot. “They threw a grenade inside and then entered.” |
| Gunfire and explosions were heard as special forces, using drone cameras and accompanied by bomb-sniffing dogs, scrambled to find a way into the compound. | Gunfire and explosions were heard as special forces, using drone cameras and accompanied by bomb-sniffing dogs, scrambled to find a way into the compound. |
| After their armored vehicles came under fire as they tried to enter from the front entrance, one police officer said, the forces sought to gain access through homes behind the mosque, even as residents tried to flee with their families. | After their armored vehicles came under fire as they tried to enter from the front entrance, one police officer said, the forces sought to gain access through homes behind the mosque, even as residents tried to flee with their families. |
| A mother arrived at the security cordon, wailing and begging the police to let her proceed toward the mosque. “My son is not answering the phone,” she said. “What do I do?” | A mother arrived at the security cordon, wailing and begging the police to let her proceed toward the mosque. “My son is not answering the phone,” she said. “What do I do?” |
| The police apologized and said they could not allow her to pass because fighting was underway, and asked a couple of elderly men to help console the woman and take her away. | |
| The men said that her son had probably escaped and should be fine. “No,” she answered. “He hasn’t come out — he is not answering his phone.” | The men said that her son had probably escaped and should be fine. “No,” she answered. “He hasn’t come out — he is not answering his phone.” |