At least six dead in suicide blast near Afghan mosque

Suicide bomber blows himself up when people were leaving the mosque after Eid prayers.

AFGHANISTAN: At least six people including a policeman were killed in a suicide blast near a mosque in Afghanistan Sunday, the first day of Muslim holiday Eidul Azha, officials said.

The blast happened in the city of Baghlan, northern Afghanistan, as people left prayers at the mosque, said Baghlan police chief Asadullah Shirzad.

"An explosion took place at 9:30am near the mosque," said Shirzad. "As a result of explosion six civilians were killed including a police officer." He added that the suicide attacker was on foot.

Afghan interior ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqui in Kabul, though, said the death toll stood at seven.

"Seven people were killed including a police officer and 15 others were wounded in the explosion," Siddiqui said.

Siddiqui added that there had been two suicide bombers involved, one of whom detonated himself and caused the casualties, while the other was arrested by police before he could blow himself up.

A doctor at the main hospital in Baghlan said 20 injured people had been admitted.

The attack happened on the first day of the three-day Eidul Azha holiday in Afghanistan, which is traditionally a time for people to pray and spend time with their family and friends.