File image.
On November 13, a magnetic explosive device attached to a passenger minivan exploded in the Dasht-e Barchi area in the western part of the Afghan capital, Kabul.
The explosion destroyed the minivan. A Taliban official, who declined to be named, told Reuters that six people had been killed and at least seven wounded in the as a result of the explosion.
VIDEO from the aftermath of latest explosion in Kabul. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/kkEjgTUKxh
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) November 13, 2021
Two sources based in Kabul confirm to me that the blast was caused by MIED targeting a vehicle, which has been completely destroyed. Unclear who was targeted. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/SJa6hQwwHo
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) November 13, 2021
One of the fatalities was identified as Hamidullah Saighani, a former journalist and presenter of the Kabul-based Ariana Television Network.
Ariana News journalist Mr Hamidullah was also killed in today’s blast in #Kabul. pic.twitter.com/4ajD3eelgR
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) November 13, 2021
Dasht-e Barchi is known to be heavily populated by Shiite ethnic Hazaras who have been the target of repeated attacks by ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan, the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K).
The terrorist group was behind two attacks that targeted a Shiite mosque in the northern city of Kunduz on October 8 and another in the southern city of Kandahar on October 15. Around 100 people were killed in both attacks.
Afghanistan’s Sunni majority were also hit by terrorism after the Taliban takeover in August. On November 12, several casualties were reported following a blast at a Sunni attended mosque in the Spin Ghar district of the eastern province of Nangarhar.
The Taliban has been making immense effort to solidify its grip over Afghanistan. However, the group’s newly-installed regime remains unexperienced.