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More Than A Dozen Killed In Attack On Sh'ite Shrine In Kabul


The Karte Sakhi shrine in Kabul.
The Karte Sakhi shrine in Kabul.

At least 14 people, mostly Shi'ite pilgrims, have been killed in an attack on a shrine in the Afghan capital.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said another 26 people were wounded in the attack on the Karte Sakhi shrine, one of the largest in Kabul.

Sediqqi said 13 civilians and one policeman were killed, and that three police were among the injured.

He said contrary to earlier reports of three gunmen only one gunman, who was later gunned down by security forces, attacked the shrine.

The Public Health Ministry spokesman, Ismail Kawasi, said 18 people were injured and taken to hospital.

Afghan security forces at the scene had evacuated the Karte Sakhi shrine, one of the biggest in the Afghan capital.

Security officials said the attackers were dressed in police or military uniforms.

Kabul police had warned Shi'a against large gatherings as attacks were expected.

In July, an attack claimed by Islamic State (IS) extremists killed 84 people, many of them Shi'a from the ethnic minority Hazara group.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP
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