IS-Khorasan (IS-K) claimed responsibility for a Thursday attack that killed at least 14 Shiite Muslims in central Afghanistan. The Amaq media wing verified the Daykundi attack. This violence highlights extremists’ menace in the region.
A group of citizens welcoming pilgrims from Karbala, an Iraqi Shiite holy place, was attacked. IS-K’s Amaq media wing reported 15 killings and six injuries from the strike. Local media, including TOLOnews, reported 14 deaths.
Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qani said “unknown gunmen” carried out the attack. He said more details will be disclosed as investigations continue. A hospital administrator in Nili, Daykundi’s provincial capital, said medical staff were on high alert to handle the injuries.
The Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K, is a regional offshoot of IS named after Khorasan, a historical region in Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. This group is known for persecuting Shiite heretics. Though both groups follow an austere Islam, their brutal philosophy contrasts with the Taliban’s Sunni Islam.
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, violence has dropped. Despite the Taliban’s denials, IS-K continues to assault. Its prior strikes include a suicide bombing in Kabul last month that killed six people and a May attack on tourists that killed six, including three foreigners.
The Daykundi attack shows Afghanistan’s persistent problems despite the Taliban’s claims of stability. IS-K’s recurrent strikes and claimed responsibility for high-profile incidents demonstrate its operational capabilities and capacity to target susceptible communities.
A recent UN counter-terrorism study classified IS-K as a key external threat to Europe, citing financial and logistical advancements. This multinational issue highlights IS-K’s global impact and the need for coordinated counter-terrorism operations.
The Taliban have minimized IS-K. The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, called IS-K fears “driven by propaganda” and said the group had been “significantly weakened” in Afghanistan. Despite these statements, IS-K violence poses a significant threat.
The devastating Daykundi attack highlights Afghanistan’s security issues despite the Taliban’s consolidation. The Islamic State-Khorasan’s aggression against Shiite Muslims destabilizes the region and poses serious concerns locally and internationally. As investigations into this latest attack continue, the international community remains attentive about the changing threat landscape and global security.
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