Kabul, Afghanistan – The death toll from an attack on a bus in western Kabul claimed by the Islamic State group has risen from two to five, police announced on Sunday. The explosion occurred in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood, which is mainly inhabited by the Shiite Hazara community.
Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran initially reported two dead and 14 wounded from the explosion on Saturday evening, but the toll was revised to five dead and 15 wounded as survivors were hospitalized with stable conditions. The blast was caused by explosives planted on the bus, and police are actively investigating the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The UN mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, reported at least 25 casualties on social media, condemning the targeted attacks on civilians and calling for greater protection for the Hazara community and accountability for the perpetrators.
The Islamic State’s regional chapter claimed responsibility for the explosion on Telegram hours after the blast, which is the latest in a series to hit the area in recent months. This attack follows a similar one in November, where at least seven people were killed in an explosion on a bus in Dasht-e-Barchi, also claimed by the Islamic State.
Despite the reduction in bomb blasts and suicide attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, various armed groups, including the Islamic State, continue to pose a threat. The situation remains precarious as authorities work to address ongoing security challenges in the region.
The death toll from the Islamic State-claimed attack in Kabul has now reached five, with at least 25 casualties reported. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure the safety and security of civilians in the region.