Afghanistan: IS-claimed attacks kill 29 people in Kabul April 30 /update 1

Event

On Monday, April 30, dual suicide bombing attacks in Kabul killed at least 29 people and wounded over 49 others. Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) claimed responsibility for the attacks. The first blast, attributed to a suicide bomber on a motorbike, reportedly took place at around 08:00 (local time) in the Sash Darak area of Kabul. The second explosion, carried out by a suicide bomber disguised as a cameraman, occurred between Massoud and Abdul Haq squares (near the site of the first bombing) around 08:20; at least nine journalists were killed in the IS-claimed Kabul bombings.

Additional militant attacks were reported in Kandahar, Khost, Balkh, and Nangarhar provinces on Monday. Notably, in Kandahar's Daman district, a suicide bomber killed 11 children and wounded 16 others in an attempted attack on a NATO convoy. Unidentified gunmen also killed a reporter in Khost province. At least five police officers were killed and four others wounded in two separate attacks in Balkh and Nangarhar provinces. Additional militant attacks on security forces and journalists are possible in Afghanistan in the near-term.

Context

Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) is active in Afghanistan and has carried out several attacks in the country in recent months. Notably, IS-KP carried out a suicide bombing attack on a voter registration center in Kabul on April 22, killing at least 69 people and wounding around 120 others. IS-KP also launched a suicide bombing attack on the Shi'a Kart-e-Sakhi shrine in Kabul on March 21, killing at least 33 people and wounding 65 others.

Advice

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas with proper security protocols in place, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.