Members of the Taliban stand guard near the Shiite mosque in Kandahar where more than 40 people were killed in a bombing on October 15, 2021. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Kandahar’ police chief said security units will be assigned to protect the Shi'ite mosques which have so far been guarded by local volunteer forces with special permission to carry weapons.

The pledge was made on the same day as the funeral of the victims of the bombing that the Islamic State group (IS) had claimed responsibility.

At least 60 people have been reported dead and more than 70 others injured in the bombings.

Last week, a similar attack on a mosque in the northern city of Kunduz killed as many as 80 people.