IS group claims deadly attack in central Afghanistan
An attack that killed at least 14 Shiite Muslims in central Afghanistan was claimed by the local chapter of the Islamic State (IS) group, the group's Amaq media wing said in a statement. The regional chapter of IS group, a rival of the Taliban, has a history of targeting Shiites, whom they consider heretics.
Gunmen killed a group of civilians in central Afghanistan on Thursday, the interior ministry said, in an attack that was claimed by the local chapter of the Islamic State group.
“Fifteen Shiite (Muslims) were killed and six others wounded in an attack carried out by the soldiers of the caliphate in central Afghanistan,” the group’s Amaq media wing said in a statement.
Attacks in Afghanistan have declined markedly since the Taliban ended their insurgency when they seized power in 2021, but a number of armed groups, including the regional Islamic State-Khorasan, remain a threat.
“Unknown gunmen have opened fire and have killed civilians,” Abdul Matin Qani, spokesman for the Interior Ministry told AFP, adding further details on the attack in Daykundi province would be announced later.
A source in the province which could not be identified for security reasons told AFP 14 people had been killed and at least four wounded.
Local media website TOLOnews reported a death toll of 14, according to sources.
The Taliban government has repeatedly played down the threat it poses.
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