The blast in the northern Balkh province - home to one of the most important Shiite shrines - followed an attack Tuesday in Kabul at a Shiite shrine that killed at least 17 people and raised fears of more violence during the Shiite processions and gatherings. Another 26 people were wounded in the attack on Sakhi Shrine in the city’s western suburbs, the largest such shrine in Kabul, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. But Shiites refused official appeals to stay off the streets, packing areas in Kabul and elsewhere for events marking Ashura, which commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad who was killed in battle in the 7th century. KABUL, Afghanistan — A second attack in two days struck Shiite worshipers Wednesday in Afghanistan as a deadly bomb blast tore through crowds defiantly gathered to mark one of the holiest commemorations for Shiite Muslims. Shiites, mostly ethnic Hazaras, had been warned by authorities to avoid large gatherings as attacks were expected. Lt. Gen. Gul Nabi Ahmadzia, the commander of the Kabul garrison, told The Associated Press on Monday that he had received credible reports that Ashoura activities would be targeted and called for Shiites to hold the ceremonies “within limits.”

Shiites make up an estimated 15 percent of Afghanistan’s population of around 30 million people. Officials were also worried about the potential for violence because of a recent bombing in the west Kabul community of ethnic Hazara Shiites. Militant Sunni fundamentalists such as the Taliban and the Islamic State group view Shiites as apostates and frequently attack Shiite mosques and public gatherings. Nasir Alizada, 27, a metal worker, said he was at the rally that was bombed in July, where young Hazaras had gathered to protest discrimination and poor public services to their community. Five years ago, suicide bombers attacked another Shiite shrine in Kabul on the same day, known as Ashura, killing more than 50 people, and bombs were also detonated at mosques in two other Afghan cities.
A bomb explosion among crowds of Shiite Muslims gathered to mark Ashura, one of their holiest commemorations, kills at least 12 people and wounds 28 others. Also, authorities revise the death toll to 17 from yesterday's attack on a Kabul Shiite shrine.