Widespread condemnation in Herat

Afghan Voice Agency(AVA)_Monitoring, At least 18 people including a prominent cleric, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Ansari, were killed in the explosion at Gazargah mosque in Herat city, where people gathered to offer congregational Friday prayers. 23 others were wounded, according to officials.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan condemned the attack. “Continued attacks on Afghans going about their daily lives, including attending places of worship, must stop,” UNAMA said on Twitter.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also said it “vehemently” deplores the blast. “Though the security environment has admittedly improved over recent months the OIC General Secretariat pointed out, it remains gravely concerned that sporadic attacks and explosions in various provinces across the country continue to mar the security, social peace of Afghan people,” OIC said in a statement.

The United States, Pakistan and Iran also condemned the attack. “My heartfelt condolences to the families of the many victims who lost their lives or were hurt in the Herat Guzargah Mosque explosion. We condemn this senseless act of terrorism. Perpetrators must be brought to justice,” US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, tweeted.

“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The people of Pakistan stand with their Afghan brothers and sisters in this time of sorrow and grief,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran “will stand by Afghanistan and its oppressed people in the fight against the evil phenomenon of extremism, violence, and terrorism.”

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), also condemned the attack and vowed that its perpetrators will be punished for their “heinous act.”