Afghans observe ‘subdued’ Ashura after deadly mosque attack kills 18

Hundreds of troops deployed in city

KABUL, Oct 12, (RTRS): Commemorations for the holy day of Ashura in the Afghan capital, Kabul, were subdued on Wednesday, amid security fears after a gunman killed at least 18 worshippers and wounded 50 during a religious gathering at a shrine.

The attacker, said to be wearing a police uniform, entered the Karte Shakhi mosque on Tuesday night and opened fire on a crowd of minority

Shi’ite Muslims gathered to observe Ashura.

Among the dead were four women and two children, according to the United Nations, which condemned the attack as an “atrocity”.

At least 18 civilians were killed and 50 wounded, the United Nations said. Some witnesses said the toll could be higher. Mourners buried at least one of the victims, a four-year-old girl, on Wednesday morning.

“Last night was a doomsday for us,” said Mohammed Hussain, one of the girl’s relatives. Members of Kabul’s Shi’ite community were also targeted in a suicide bombing in July that killed more than 80 people and wounded 130.

“We are not happy with the government and the police,” Hussain said. “They both failed to protect us and provide security for us.”

Ashura, which is an especially holy day for Shi’ite Muslims, marks the 7th Century death of a grandson of the prophet Mohammed.

The day is typically marked by processions that often include self-flagellation by some worshippers.

Amid security fears and government warnings of possible attacks, however, this year’s gatherings have been more subdued.

Police said they had yet to determine who was behind Tuesday’s attack.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan has deployed hundreds of commandos backed by NATO air strikes in Lashkar Gah to drive Taleban insurgents from the southern city after the militants killed 18 people in a coordinated attack, officials said Tuesday.

The assault Monday marked the insurgents’ latest attempt to seize the capital of Helmand province, underscoring unravelling security as they expand their foothold across the opium-rich province.

“More than 300 commandos... have been deployed to the city to prevent Taleban advancement,” said Abdul Jabar Qahraman, government special envoy for security in Helmand.

Provincial spokesman Omar Zwak told AFP the commandos were sent from Kabul and neighbouring provinces to launch a “clearance operation” in Lashkar Gah after the attack, which killed 10 policemen and four others.

“Soon the security forces will clear the whole city from Taleban,” Zwak said.

“US enablers are in the area and will support as needed. Yesterday there were two air strikes in Helmand, both of these were in support of ANDSF (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces) strategic operations,” a NATO spokesman told AFP Tuesday.

The Taleban have waged an insurgency against the westernbacked Kabul government since being toppled from power by a US-led invasion in 2001. They have intensified attacks across the country in recent months, pressuring Afghan forces on multiple fronts.

Around 30,000 people have been displaced in Helmand in recent weeks and most have fled to Lashkar Gah. But the city is practically besieged, with roads from neighbouring districts heavily mined by the insurgents.