Bomb-rigged bike explodes outside Maimana mosque

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): At least seven people were injured in a blast outside a mosque in this capital city of northern Faryab province on Wednesday. However, officials said the blast caused no casualties.

Information and Culture Department Director Maulvi Shamsullah said the explosion happened in front of the Imam Abu Hanifa Mosque today afternoon.

He said the blast occurred when a bomb-rigged motorcycle exploded, but fortunately it caused no casualties.

He added the motive for the bombing was unknown, but security forces had launched their investigation.

Meanwhile, Qair Shafi, one of the worshippers, said the motorcycle bomb exploded in front of the mosque when they were offering zuhr prayer.

He said nothing about casualties, adding that security forces had cordoned off the area.

However, a source in the zonal hospital in Maimana confirmed to Pajhwok that seven injured people had been brought to the hospital from the blast site.

sa/ma