KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a mosque in the Afghan capital on Friday, killing four people and wounding 20 others, authorities said, in the latest attack to target the country’s minority Shiites.
Hospital program coordinator Dejan Panic confirmed the fatalities from the attack, which came as worshippers were leaving the Hussainia Mosque in central Kabul following Friday prayers. Police officer Abdul Rahman said the attacker blew himself up on the street about 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) from the mosque.
Police official Sadiq Muradi said police confronted the attacker as he came through a checkpoint near the holy site, calling for him to stop. But that’s when he ignited his explosives, blowing himself up.
Mir Hussain Nasiri, a member of Kabul’s Shiite clerics council, told The Associated Press the attacker was disguised as a sheepherder.
Mohammad Ismail, police chief of Kabul’s 10th district, said a second person suspected of involvement was in custody.