1st LD: 3 killed, 55 injured in E. Afghan mosque blast

At least three Afghan civilians were killed and 55 others wounded on Friday after a bomb went off during a Friday prayers in eastern Nangarhar province, the provincial government spokesman said.

"An improvised explosive device planted inside a mosque in Hissarrak locality, Rodat district went off at around 01:30 p.m. local time, causing three killed and 55 injured," Attaullah Khoagyani told Xinhua.

Government troops cordoned off the area shortly after the blast, keeping people from gathering at the scene for fears that there might be a second blast.

The casualties were shifted to nearby hospitals and several injured were transported by ambulances and police vehicles to provincial capital hospital.

Several hundreds of worshipers were attending the prayers when the incident took place, he said.

"The number of casualties may go up as many of the wounded remained in critical conditions," he said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Enditem