12 worshippers killed in explosion at Kabul mosque

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A bomb hit a mosque in northern Kabul during Friday prayers, killing 12 worshippers and wounding 15 others, Afghan police said.

No group had claimed responsibility for the attack by the time of reporting.

The bombing is the latest incident of violence to rock the country as the U.S. and NATO troops prepare to fully withdraw from the Middle Eastern country after 20 years.

AP reports Afghan police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz to say the bomb exploded as prayers had begun. The mosque's imam, Mofti Noman, was among the dead, the spokesman said and added that the initial police investigation suggests the imam may have been the target.

The explosion came on the second day of a three-day cease-fire announced by the Taliban for the Muslim holiday this week of Eid al-Fitr, which follows the fasting month of Ramadan.

Both the Afghan government and the Taliban often trade blames for attacks in the country, although investigations rarely identify the attackers.

(With input from agencies)