200 Khatmul Quran participants poisoned in Khost

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): At least 200 participants in a Khatmul Quran programme have been poisoned in southeastern Khost province, an official said on Monday.

Police spokesman Mustaghfir Gurbaz told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident happened in the Stakai village of Zazai Maidan district late on Sunday.

He said the guests were poisoned after eating the meal. Preliminary information suggested the meal had been poisoned, he added.

Gurbaz explained the poisoned individuals were currently in stable condition.

But Tahir Azimi, a resident of the area and eyewitness, claimed around 400 people had been poisoned. Some of the affected people were in critical condition, he said.

hz/mud