On 15 October 2021, a suicide bombing occurred at the Imam Bargah Mosque,[1] also known as Fatima Mosque, a Shia mosque, during Friday prayers in Kandahar, Afghanistan, killing at least 65 people and wounding more than 70.[2][3]
| 2021 Kandahar bombing | |
|---|---|
| Part of 2021 Afghanistan attacks and Persecution of Shias by the Islamic State | |
  Kandahar Kandahar (Afghanistan) | |
| Location | Imam Bargah Mosque, Kandahar, Afghanistan |
| Coordinates | 31°37′12″N 65°42′57″E / 31.62000°N 65.71583°E |
| Date | 15 October 2021 |
| Target | Shia worshippers |
Attack type | Suicide bombing |
| Deaths | 65 |
| Injured | 70+ |
| Perpetrators | ISIS–K |
Attacks
editAt around 13:00 local time, 4 bombers arrived at the mosque gate, where two of them blew themselves up, making way for their accomplices, who continued the terrorist attack among the approximately 3,000 worshippers inside the mosque, detonating two more bombs.[4]
The attacks came a week after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State – Khorasan Province at a Shia mosque in Kunduz killed 46 people.[5][6] Following the Kunduz attack, the Taliban government had promised to provide security at Shia mosques[7] as well as expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.[8]
Perpetrator
editThe Islamic State – Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack according to a statement released by the group's media wing, Amaq.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jones, Harrison (15 October 2021). "Four suicide bombers kill and injured dozens of people in Kandahar mosque blasts". Metro. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ Mehrdad, Ezzatullah (15 October 2021). "Suicide bombers hit Shiite mosque in Afghanistan killing dozens — the second such attack in a week". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Islamic State Bombing Kills at Least 65 People in Southern Afghanistan". Washington post. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Peshimam, Gibran Naiyyar (15 October 2021). "Blast at Shi'ite mosque in Afghan city of Kandahar kills dozens". Reuters. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ Peshimam, Gibran (16 October 2021). "Blast at Shi'ite mosque in Afghan city of Kandahar causes heavy casualties". Reuters. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Mehta, Amar (16 October 2021). "Afghanistan: At least 35 killed in suicide bombing during prayers at Kandahar mosque". Sky News. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ Mackenzie, James (16 October 2021). "Taliban pledge to step up security as Shi'ite victims buried in Afghanistan". Reuters. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ "Shia mosque bombing in Afghanistan that killed at least 47 claimed by ISKP". the Guardian. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ Popalzai, Ehsan; Salem, Mostafa (15 October 2021). "More than 30 killed as suicide attack rocks mosque in Afghanistan's Kandahar". CNN. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
