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Afghan Suicide Bomber Kills Dozens of Worshipers Afghan Suicide Bomber Kills Dozens of Worshipers
(about 3 hours later)
KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide bomber struck in northern Afghanistan on Friday morning just as worshipers were emerging from special prayers on the first day of Id al-Adha, the most important Muslim holiday of the year.KABUL, Afghanistan — A suicide bomber struck in northern Afghanistan on Friday morning just as worshipers were emerging from special prayers on the first day of Id al-Adha, the most important Muslim holiday of the year.
According to early reports, at least 45 people were killed and 60 wounded in the attack in Maimana, the capital of Faryab Province.According to early reports, at least 45 people were killed and 60 wounded in the attack in Maimana, the capital of Faryab Province.
Among the dead were 25 members of the Afghan National Security Forces, including the Afghan National Civil Order Police commander for Faryab, the head of the police Quick Reaction Force and the chiefs of police for two districts of Maimana, according to Naqibullah Faiq, a member of Parliament from Faryab.Among the dead were 25 members of the Afghan National Security Forces, including the Afghan National Civil Order Police commander for Faryab, the head of the police Quick Reaction Force and the chiefs of police for two districts of Maimana, according to Naqibullah Faiq, a member of Parliament from Faryab.
President Hamid Karzai immediately condemned the attack. "Those who are taking away the happiness of Muslims during the Id al-Adha days are the enemies of Islam and you cannot call them human or Muslim," he said in a statement. President Hamid Karzai immediately condemned the attack. “Those who are taking away the happiness of Muslims during the Id al-Adha days are the enemies of Islam, and you cannot call them human or Muslim,” he said in a statement.
Among those killed was Abdul Rahman, the head of the Afghan National Civil Order police battalion stationed in Maimana, said Maroof Samar, a surgeon at the government hospital.Among those killed was Abdul Rahman, the head of the Afghan National Civil Order police battalion stationed in Maimana, said Maroof Samar, a surgeon at the government hospital.
“The hospital is overwhelmed by dead and wounded bodies, all off-duty doctors were called in,” said Dr. Samar, who ran to the hospital from the mosque where he had been among the worshipers.“The hospital is overwhelmed by dead and wounded bodies, all off-duty doctors were called in,” said Dr. Samar, who ran to the hospital from the mosque where he had been among the worshipers.
Local officials who have been fighting Taliban in Faryab were especially upset because there were hopes that recent battles with the insurgents in the province had sapped their strength. Local officials who have been fighting the Taliban in Faryab were especially upset because there were hopes that recent battles with the insurgents in the province had sapped their strength.
However, it appeared that Friday’s attack was possible revenge for Taliban losses earlier in the week. On Wednesday, security forces fought a battle with local Taliban in Faryab’s Pashtunkot District, killing the shadow governor and 24 of his men, said Abdul Sattar Bariz, the deputy provincial governor.However, it appeared that Friday’s attack was possible revenge for Taliban losses earlier in the week. On Wednesday, security forces fought a battle with local Taliban in Faryab’s Pashtunkot District, killing the shadow governor and 24 of his men, said Abdul Sattar Bariz, the deputy provincial governor.
“Everyone was thinking that after their shadow governor was killed, they would not able to survive anymore in Faryab so this could be revenge for the shadow governor’s death,” Dr. Samar said.“Everyone was thinking that after their shadow governor was killed, they would not able to survive anymore in Faryab so this could be revenge for the shadow governor’s death,” Dr. Samar said.
A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, said he had not heard about the attack and requested details so that he could check with Taliban in the province.A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, said he had not heard about the attack and requested details so that he could check with Taliban in the province.
The provincial council chairman, Rahmatullah Rais, a hard-line opponent of the Taliban said: “No Muslim would target other Muslims at the mosque. This is not the work of a Muslim, even an infidel won’t attack a Muslim in the holy days Id al-Adha,” he said.The provincial council chairman, Rahmatullah Rais, a hard-line opponent of the Taliban said: “No Muslim would target other Muslims at the mosque. This is not the work of a Muslim, even an infidel won’t attack a Muslim in the holy days Id al-Adha,” he said.
The Id al-Adha services are among the most heavily attended of the year and worshipers frequently overflow the mosque itself. Larger mosques in Afghanistan are typically surrounded on three sides by courtyards to accommodate worshipers who pray outside and listen to the sermon and prayers over loudspeakers. The Id al-Adha services are among the most heavily attended of the year, and worshipers frequently overflow the mosque itself. Larger mosques in Afghanistan are typically surrounded on three sides by courtyards to accommodate worshipers who pray outside and listen to the sermon and prayers over loudspeakers.
Witnesses said the bomber approached the northern gate of the mosque courtyard. There were conflicting reports about whether the bomber was wearing a woman’s burqa or a uniform of the Afghan security forces.Witnesses said the bomber approached the northern gate of the mosque courtyard. There were conflicting reports about whether the bomber was wearing a woman’s burqa or a uniform of the Afghan security forces.
One witness, Syed Abdul Sarwar, was the mosque when the bomb exploded. One witness, Syed Abdul Sarwar, was at the mosque when the bomb exploded.
“The suicide bomber was young, he appeared to be a 15- year-old boy,” he said. “The suicide bomber was young, he appeared to be a 15-year-old boy,” Mr. Sarwar said.
“The explosion was very heavy and all those leaving the north gate at that time were killed, including some police,” Mr. Sarwar said. “The explosion was very heavy and all those leaving the north gate at that time were killed, including some police,” he said.
A spokesman for the governor’s office said that at least five children were among the dead.A spokesman for the governor’s office said that at least five children were among the dead.

Enayatullah Najafizada contributed reporting from Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan.

Enayatullah Najafizada contributed reporting from Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.