A blast at the Guzargah Mosque in Herat killed Mujib-ul Rahman Ansari, a prominent Afghan cleric.
The blast killed 20 people and injured nearly 200 others, according to local sources.
The blast occurred during Friday noon prayers, which are considered the highlight of the Muslim religious week. Mosques are also most crowded at this time of day.
MUJIB-UL RAHMAN ANSARI: WHO IS HE?
His criticism of the country’s western-backed governments over the past two decades made Mujib-ul Rahman Ansari a prominent cleric in Afghanistan. As foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, he was seen as close to the Taliban.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesman, confirmed Ansari’s death.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the blast from any group or individual.
