Security beefed up at religious places in Afghanistan after Kabul mosque attack

The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs (MoHRA) of Afghanistan is making a new security plan to safeguard mosques and other religious establishments in the country following a deadly attack on Imam Zaman mosque in Kabul on Friday.

The deputy minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs Dayee-ul-Haq Abid has asked all the security institutions in the country to increase security measures at mosques and religious facilities as soon as possible, the Tolo News reported.

"We have sent a plan to the security council for the security of mosques, because all mosques in Afghanistan are under threat," Abid said.

Earlier, at least 30 people were killed after a coordinated militant attack was carried out in Kabul city's Imam Zaman mosque in Afghanistan.

A blast was followed by gunfire as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers at the mosque in Qala-Najara.

"The attack was carried out by three or four men and one of them blew himself up outside the mosque," Tolo News quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish as saying.

President Ashraf Ghani, in a statement, condemned the attack and called it a crime against the people of Afghanistan.

The president called on Afghan religious scholars to raise their voice against such violent acts - carried by terrorists, the Presidential Palace said in a statement.