17 killed in Afghan blast targeting mosque

At least 17 people were killed in a blast that targeted a mosque in northern Afghanistan on Friday, according to local sources.

The explosion occurred at the Takiakhana Imam Zaman mosque in the city of Pol-e-Khomri, the capital of Baghlan province, during congregational Friday prayers, the sources said.

Harkat-e-Islami Afghanistan, a political party, said: "15 to 20 worshipers have been martyred in this tragic incident."

Most of those attending prayers were from the Shiite sect.

Iranian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif condemned the explosion "which led to the martyrdom and wounding of a large number of praying Muslims."