The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, that left six people dead and 13 others injured. The attack, which took place on Monday afternoon in the southern outskirts of the city, targeted employees of the Taliban government’s prosecution service, according to police reports.
The IS group’s Amaq news agency released a statement on the Telegram messaging platform, asserting that the suicide bomber struck as prosecutors were finishing their shifts, causing casualties in the midst of a crowd. The group claimed that the total number of dead and wounded exceeded 45, stating that the bombing was carried out “to avenge Muslims imprisoned by the Taliban.”
READ MORE: Over 21 Million Shia Muslims Participate in Arbaeen Pilgrimage in Iraq
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces three years ago, they have made security a top priority. Although their extensive security operations have reportedly reduced the number of militant threats, the regional IS affiliate, known as Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), continues to pose a significant danger.
IS-K has been responsible for a series of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan, including assaults on Taliban government offices, foreign embassies, and religious minorities. The most recent suicide bombing attributed to IS-K before this incident occurred in March in Kandahar, the Taliban’s historic stronghold. While Taliban officials reported only three fatalities in that attack, a hospital source suggested the death toll was closer to 20—a discrepancy not uncommon in such incidents.
Despite these challenges, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid recently told AFP that IS-K had been largely suppressed. “They existed here before, but we have dealt with them very harshly,” he said, adding that no groups remain that could pose a significant threat to the country.
