Mini van explodes in Afghanistan, Islamic State claims responsibility for second attack in a week

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an explosion targeting a vehicle in eastern Kabul, killing at least three people. This is the second deadly attack by the terrorist group in Afghanistan within a week. The terrorist group issued a statement on its Telegram channel and claimed responsibility for the attack. The statement said it detonated an explosive device on a vehicle carrying staff members of Pul-e-Charki Prison, Afghanistan’s primary prison in Kabul, resulting in the deaths and injuries of 10 people.

However, police spokesman Khaled Zadran, speaking to the AP, confirmed a bomb blast that killed three civilians and injured four others. The blast occurred in the eastern area of ​​the city, specifically the Alokhel area. Additionally, authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the attack. The attack comes after the group claimed responsibility for an explosion on a bus in the Dasht-e-Barchi area, resulting in at least five deaths. In particular, the regional chapter of the Islamic State has increasingly targeted Shias in recent months with a number of attacks against the community, which it considers heretics.

Despite a decline in bombings and suicide attacks in Afghanistan after the Taliban took power in August 2021, various armed groups, including the Islamic State, continue to pose a security threat in the region. Twelve officers have been killed in three separate attacks on police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the past three days.