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KABUL – The Islamic State terrorist group has asserted responsibility for a devastating explosion that rocked Kabul, leaving four individuals dead and seven others injured. The incident unfolded on Thursday evening within a commercial complex situated in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of Kabul. This area has long been associated with the historically oppressed Hazara community.
The terror organization claims to have employed a parcel bomb, strategically placed in a room where Shiite individuals had gathered. The tragic explosion resulted in extensive damage to the commercial center, with shattered windows and debris scattered throughout the vicinity.
Kabul’s law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the cause of this calamity. According to Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for the Kabul police, an initial count of two casualties and nine injured individuals has been updated to seven injuries. Notably, the Taliban authorities have not responded to the Islamic State’s claim at this time.
The incident occurred within a sports club housed several floors above the commercial center. The blast, which occurred at the end of a crowded boxing session, left a trail of devastation. Sultan Ali Amiri, a 26-year-old instructor at the club, described the force of the explosion as extraordinary, resulting in the collapse of walls, destruction of metal doors, and shattering of glass and windows.
Tragically, this is not the first time that Afghanistan’s Hazara community has been targeted. Hazaras have long been victims of persecution, enduring hostility from the Taliban during their insurgency against the previous US-backed government, as well as from the Islamic State, which views Shiites as heretics.
It’s important to note that the Islamic State group has executed multiple deadly attacks in this region over the years, targeting schools, mosques, and gyms. The aftermath of the blast was captured in images shared on social media, revealing a fire raging within the sports club and boxing equipment scattered amidst shattered glass.
While the number of bomb blasts and suicide attacks has diminished since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, a range of armed groups, including the regional chapter of the Islamic State, continues to pose a significant threat in the region. The situation remains tense as authorities strive to ensure the safety and security of the Afghan population.
