KABUL – A blast outside a mosque in the city of Herat in Western Afghanistan on Friday killed a high-profile pro-Taliban cleric as well as civilians in what authorities said was an attack.
“Mujib Rahman Ansari, with some of his guards and civilians, have been killed on their way toward the mosque,” said Herat’s police spokesperson Mahmood Rasoli according to Reuters.
Rasoli did not say how many casualties the blast caused.
Al Jazeera Media Network, citing unnamed sources, said 14 people had been killed.
The Taliban’s spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid, in a Tweet expressed “strong condolences” over Ansari’s death and said his attackers would be punished.
