Explosion at Afghanistan mosque kills at least 17

An explosion at a mosque used as a voter centre in the eastern Afghan province of Khost yesterday killed at least 17 people and wounded 34, local officials said, in the latest attack on preparations for long-delayed parliamentary elections.

Basir Bina, spokesman for the provincial police, said people were gathered after afternoon prayers in the mosque, which was also being used as a voter registration centre for elections due in October.