International Desk: A blast outside a mosque in the city of Herat in Western Afghanistan on Friday killed 18 people including its influential imam, an official said.

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“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.

Al Jazeera Media Network, citing unnamed sources, said 18 people has been killed.

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The Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid, in a Tweet said “strong condolences” over Ansari’s death and said his attackers would be punished.

The Taliban told that they have improved security in the country since taking power around a year ago, but there have been several blasts in recent months, some of them targeting busy mosques during prayers.

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The United Nations has raised concerns about the growing number of attacks and some blasts have been claimed by a local branch of the Islamic State.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday’s explosion.

Sun News/MR

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