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Afghanistan mosque suicide bomb attack kills at least 37 Afghanistan mosque suicide bomb attack kills at least 37
(35 minutes later)
At least 37 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a mosque in northern Afghanistan, officials say. A suicide bomber targeted worshippers who had gathered at a mosque in north Afghanistan for prayers to mark Eid al-Adha, killing at least 37 people.
More than 40 people were wounded in the attack at the front of the mosque in Maymana, capital of Faryab province. More than 30 people were wounded in the attack, which happened as people were leaving the mosque in Maymana, capital of Faryab province.
The provincial governor and police chief were said to be among those attending the prayers to mark the Eid al-Adha holidays, but they reportedly escaped without serious injury. Senior provincial government officials were also attending the prayers.
Civilians and police officers were among the dead, officials said. The victims were mainly civilians and police officers. Senior officials appeared to escape serious injury.
Eye witnesses and officials said the suicide attacker approached the mosque and detonated his suicide vest after the Eid prayers had finished. "We had just finished Eid al-Adha prayers and we were congratulating and hugging each other," deputy provincial governor Abdul Satar Barez told the AFP news agency.
The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says it is not clear now the attacker managed to get past at least four security checkpoints to target the mosque. "Suddenly a big explosion took place and the area was full of dust and smoke and body parts of police and civilians were all over the place. It was a very powerful explosion."
Deputy provincial governor Abdul Satar Barez told the AFP news agency that the attacker himself was wearing a police uniform. He said the provincial police chief, Abdul Khaliq Aqsai was wounded, but it was not clear if he had been the target.
The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says that security had been very tight around the mosque, and questions will now be asked as to how the attacker managed to get past at least four security checkpoints.
Mr Barez said the attacker had been wearing a police uniform.
Attacks in northern Afghanistan are far less common than in the south and east, and Faryab province has been considered to be relatively peaceful.Attacks in northern Afghanistan are far less common than in the south and east, and Faryab province has been considered to be relatively peaceful.
However at least 10 people were killed in an incident in April 2012 when a suicide bomber on a motorbike targeted a meeting of officials near the main vegetable market in Maymana. However, there have been a spate of assassinations in Maymana in recent days, our correspondent says.
A senior former Taliban commander, who had defected to the government side, was killed along with son, as well as a number of very prominent tribal elders seen to be giving crucial support to the government.
Are you in Maymana? Did you witness the incident or do you know people affected by it? Please contact the BBC using the form below.Are you in Maymana? Did you witness the incident or do you know people affected by it? Please contact the BBC using the form below.
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