At least three people lost their lives and four were injured when a mine exploded, planted by terrorists in what authorities say was an Islamic State West of Afghanistan operation centered in Kabul. The strike targets a corridor around the capital and adds to a wave of violence attributed to the group since the Taliban took control in August 2021.
Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran provided details about the incident, noting that the blast occurred Tuesday in the Alojil neighborhood of Kabul’s 16th district at approximately 15:50 local time. Zadran confirmed that security forces rushed to the scene and detained a person of interest as part of the ongoing investigation. The Islamic State issued a claim through its channels, asserting responsibility for the attack.
The group claimed that roughly ten workers at Pul-e-Charki prison were killed or wounded in the confrontation, stating that the strike targeted a vehicle carrying the prison employees. Pul-e-Charki is among the country’s largest detention facilities, and the attack underscored ongoing security vulnerabilities around major correctional sites in Afghanistan.
The assault followed a separate fatal bombing in Kabul three days earlier, when a bomb targeted a bus in the Dasht-e-Barchi district, a predominantly Hazara area. Five people were killed and about 15 were injured in that incident, which the Islamic State Had claimed responsibility for as well. The international community, including UNAMA, called for an end to targeted attacks against civilians and urged protection for Afghanistan’s Hazara population.
In its recent assessments, the Taliban government said that all centers used by the Islamic State had been eliminated as part of renewed security operations. Officials emphasized that the jihadist network currently appears to have a limited presence, estimating between 70 and 80 members operating inside the country. The ISKP, the Afghan branch of the Islamic State, has long promoted a stricter interpretation of Sharia law, positioning itself in direct opposition to Taliban authorities and prompting persistent security campaigns against its members.
Analysts note that the ISKP strategy in Afghanistan has evolved with a focus on hitting soft targets and infrastructure that supports daily life for civilians, amplifying fear and instability in Kabul and neighboring provinces. Observers also highlight that the security environment remains precarious as Afghan forces, backed by international partners, seek to prevent further escalation while confronting a network that has shown adaptability in both urban and rural settings. The Taliban administration has repeated commitments to safeguarding civilians and restoring security, even as complementary security and intelligence operations continue to unfold across major urban centers and provincial hubs. (UNAMA) continues to monitor the situation and advocate for civilian protection and accountability in all incidents.”