A prominent pro-Taliban preacher was killed along with bystanders in a blast that occurred outside a mosque in the western Afghan city of Herat on Friday, according to authorities.
Mahmood Rasoli, a spokesman for Herat’s police, reported that Mujib Rahman Ansari, along with some of his guards and bystanders, had been assassinated while they were heading towards the mosque.
Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, tweeted his “strong condolences” for Ansari’s passing and intended to hold his assailants accountable.
At a significant assembly of thousands of academics and elders hosted by the group in late June, Mujib Rahman Ansari delivered a vehement defence of the Taliban, denouncing anybody who opposed their rule.
Since assuming power around a year ago, the Taliban claim to have increased security in the nation, but there have been a number of explosions in recent months, some of which targeted popular mosques during prayer. The increasing frequency of attacks has drawn worry from the UN, and some explosions have been attributed to a local Islamic State affiliate.
