Scores of the worshipers have been killed on Friday when a powerful blast rocked one of the biggest mosques in Herat, Afghanistan. Imam of mosque also died in the blast.
The blast occurred at Gazargah Mosque just before Friday prayers, killing imam Mujib ur Rahman Ansari and many other worshipers.
Images on social media showed what appeared to be blood-stained bodies scattered around the compound of the mosque. Ansari was an influential pro-Taliban cleric known for his fiery speeches.
International news agencies reported that at least 18 people had been killed. Other reports put the death toll much higher at 48.
Graphic images and videos were posted to social media after the blast, showing blood in the courtyard of the mosque and people crying loudly.
In July, during a religious gathering in Kabul, he called for those who commit “the smallest act against our Islamic government” to be beheaded.
