The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a devastating minivan explosion in Kabul on Tuesday, marking the second deadly attack by the terrorist organization in Afghanistan within a week. The militant group stated that it detonated an explosive on a vehicle belonging to employees of Afghanistan’s main prison, resulting in casualties
The attack that took place in the Alokhail area of the city’s eastern part, killed at least three civilians and wounded four others, according to police spokesman Khalid Zadran. He confirmed a bomb explosion and stated that authorities had detained a suspect in connection with the incident.
This recent attack comes in the wake of the group’s claim of responsibility for another explosion on a bus in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood, which claimed the lives of at least five individuals. Notably, the Islamic State’s regional chapter has persistently targeted Shiites, whom they regard as heretics, with numerous attacks against the community in recent months.
Despite a decrease in bomb blasts and suicide attacks in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s ascendancy to power in August 2021, several armed groups, including the Islamic State, continue to pose significant security threats in the region.
Additionally, over the past three days, three separate attacks targeting police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have resulted in the deaths of 12 officers. The Islamic State affiliates, a prominent rival of the Taliban, have repeatedly targeted Kabul and northern provinces, showcasing the persistent security challenges faced by the region.
(With inputs from Associated Press)