Death Toll Rises to 34 in Paktia Mosque Bombing

The Paktia security commander, Raz Muhammad Mandozai says at least 34 people were killed and 94 others were wounded in yesterday’s mosque bombing, updating an earlier toll.

However, officials warn that the death toll is likely to rise, given the severity of many of the injuries.

Mandozai declared that two Burqa-clad suicide bombers detonated their explosives inside the Khawaja Hassan mosque in the provincial capital of Gardez on August 3.

He noted the suicide bombers, first killed two security guards at the entrance of the mosque before firing on worshippers and detonating their explosives.

Sardar Wali Tabasun, the police spokesman for Paktia Province, said the attack occurred after Friday Prayers.

President Ashraf Ghani in a statement called the attack an act against Islam and a criminal act.

“Such criminal acts of terrorists among our people cannot create religious divisions, because Afghanistan is exemplary in Islamic unity and religious affiliation in the Islamic countries, and this will remain unchanged forever,” the statement said.

Condemning the attack, United Nation Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed its condolences to the loved ones of those killed in the attack and wishesd a full and speedy recovery to those injured.

In the meantime, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, strongly, expressed condemnation and disapproval of the suicide attack and reiterated the Kingdom solidarity with fraternal Afghanistan, notably in its efforts exerted to thwart extremism and combat terrorism.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi also denounced Friday’s mosque attack and said, “Imported and imposed terrorism on the Afghan people is seeking to sow discord among the Afghans by spreading insecurity.”

Pakistan has strongly condemned the shooting in a statement and expressed deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families.

“Pakistan prays for the earliest recovery of the injured and stands together with the government and people of Afghanistan in this hour of grief,” said the statement, adding that the country condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

This comes as the Taliban group has denied any involvement in the attack.