16 Jul 2010

Double bombing of Iranian mosque kills 20

3:44 pm on 16 July 2010

Two bomb blasts at a mosque in south-east Iran are reported to have killed at least 20 people and injured about 100.

Authorities say two suicide bombers targeted the mosque, in the restive city of Zahedan, as worshippers were celebrating the birth anniversary of revered Shi'ite martyr Imam Hussein.

A local MP says that the first attack was carried out by a bomber dressed as a woman and that when people came to rescue those hurt in that blast, another bomber blew himself up.

The country's deputy interior minister says the first explosion hit a checkpoint manned by the Revolutionary Guards. This is the 31st anniversary of their founding.

A Sunni Muslim rebel group, Jundollah, has said it was behind the suicide attack, according to Al Arabiya television.

The group said the attacks were in response to the execution of the group's leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, in June.