A prominent imam close to the Taliban was among at least 18 people killed on Friday in a suicide bombing at a mosque in Afghanistan.
Mujib ur Rahman Ansari was walking toward the Gazargah Mosque in Herat for Friday prayers when the attack happened.
“The bomber came near Ansari and then set off his explosives-laden vest,” said Hameedullah Motawakel, spokesman for the governor of Herat province.
Ansari’s brother Habib ul Rahman was also among those killed. Daesh militants admitted carrying out the attack.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the bombing. The OIC “remains gravely concerned that sporadic attacks and explosions in various provinces across the country continue to mar the security and social peace of Afghan people,” it said.
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“The OIC renews its resolute solidarity with Afghanistan and its long-suffering people.”
Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, who had met Ansari a few hours before at a gathering in Herat, also condemned the killing of “a strong and brave religious scholar.”
He said: “The perpetrators of this heinous act will be punished.”
Ansari, who was in his late thirties, was an influential cleric known for his fiery speeches.
