GHAZNI CITY - Five Taliban members were killed when a gun fight broke out at a mosque in Ghazni province where over 3,000 people had gathered to mourn the death of the Taliban's former leader Mullah Omar, said officials.

Not only did Taliban members present chant anti-government slogans but they also forced thousands of locals to attend, said officials.

The Interior Ministry confirmed this and said Mullah Omar was responsible for untold bloodshed and crimes in Afghanistan and those who participate in such ceremonies are party to these crimes.

Taliban insurgents reportedly collected money from Ghazni residents to cover the costs of the ceremony and made each person bring bread. The prayer ceremony was held in the Qarabaghi area – 15 kms from Ghazni city.

It is believed that Taliban commanders wanted to use the opportunity to speak out against government but security forces were reportedly deployed to prevent this from happening. While trying to break up the ceremony, Taliban insurgents opened fire on security forces and a gun fight ensued. Five Taliban members were killed and more than 10 injured. Other insurgents, including their commanders who were present, then fled the area, said officials.

Ghazni deputy governor, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, told TOLOnews that all security forces have been directed to act against anyone who wants to hold a prayer ceremony for Mullah Omar. . "Taliban had planned to hold a prayer ceremony for Mullah Omar in Qarabaghi area of Ghazni with the participation of at least 3,000 people, but when the security forces were informed of the issue, they went to the area. The Taliban escaped after five of them were killed and others were wounded in a gunfight with security forces," he added.

The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs has not commented on the use of mosques for such prayer ceremonies but Iqbal Kohistani, a member of the Security Commission in the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) said: "The government should seriously probe the issue and those who speak against the system and aganst the hopes and dreams of people, in mosques should be arrested."

"This issue that they try to hold anti-government speeches in mosques can prove very dangerous," he added.

Hazrat Shahzada Mujaddidi, a religious scholar said however that: "Islam is the religion of peace, love and cleanliness. Those who try to create horror have no awareness about religion."

"The Ulema Council should assess the issue."

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi said a large number of people have been killed by the Taliban on the orders of Mullah Omar, therefore holding a prayer ceremony for him is not acceptable.

"Using our mosques for a prayer ceremony for Mullah Omar is not acceptable for us, because Mullah Omar was the one who committed big crimes against our people, and those who participate in such ceremonies and pray for Mullah Omar, are obvious to us and are part of the crime," Sediqqi said.

Such ceremonies were held in the past regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden. Security officials however, believe that such acts are organized by the groups that have always struggled to destabilize Afghanistan. (Tolonews)