IS claims responsibility for bombing of Shiite center in northern Afghanistan
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a bombing this weekend at a cultural center run by the Shiite minority community in northern Afghanistan.
ISLAMABAD — The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a bombing this weekend at a cultural center run by the Shiite minority community in northern Afghanistan, which left one dead and eight injured.
The Tabian center of the Hazaras in the provincial capital of Balkh, Mazar-e-Sharif, was hit on Saturday, during an event in honor of local journalists.
The regional IS affiliate – known as the Islamic State in Khorasan province – is a key rival to the Taliban and has frequently targeted members of Afghanistan’s Shia minority. The militant group has increased its attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in August 2021. IS attacks have also included Taliban patrols.
ISIS said in a statement on its media arm, the Aamaq news agency, that the explosives were placed in a hidden bag in the center. The statements indicated that those targeted worked for an establishment “that had engaged in war” against ISIS.
Abdul Nafi Takor, the Taliban-appointed interior ministry spokesman, said the person killed was a security guard at the center. Three children are among the eight injured.
The attack on the center came two days after a bomb blast in Mazar-e-Sharif killed provincial governor Daud Muzmal and two others. Four people were injured. The Islamic State group also claimed responsibility for the assassination on Thursday.
