Kabul, Afghanistan (AP) Jan,12– The Islamic State group on Thursday claimed responsibility for a deadly bomb attack near the foreign ministry in the Afghan capital that killed at least five people the day before.The bombing will be his second major attack in Kabul in 2023 and was condemned by the international community.
In a statement, the militant group said a “martyr”, identified as Kheiber al-Qandahari, detonated an explosive vest among a gathering of ministry employees and security guards as he exited the ministry through the main gate.
There was no immediate reaction to IS’ allegations from Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said Wednesday that the blast killed five civilians and injured “many other people” near the ministry. IS news agency Aamaq said the attack coincided with a ministry training course for diplomats.
Since the Taliban occupied Afghanistan in 2021, militants have stepped up their attacks. Targets included Taliban patrols and members of the country’s Shiite minority.
After Wednesday’s attack, more than 40 wounded were taken to a surgical center in Kabul run by a humanitarian organization, the Emergency NGO. Afghanistan’s emergency chief Stefano Sozza said at the time that he expected the number of casualties to rise. The attack was condemned by the United Nations and various countries. In a statement Wednesday, Pakistan said it stood in solidarity with Afghanistan in its fight against militants.
