Afghanistan: Car bomb attack in Jalalabad (Nangarhar) June 20

Event

On Thursday, June 20, a car bomb attack occurred at approximately 10:45 (local time) in the PD2 area of the city of Jalalabad (Nangarhar province), killing at least two policemen and injuring 18 more. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast. Similar attacks are possible in Afghanistan over the near term.

Context

Taliban and Islamic State (IS) militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are, in part, intended to undermine the perceived capacity of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) - and the Afghan government more broadly - to adequately provide security in the wake of the withdrawal of most US-led NATO forces from the country.

Advice

Individuals in Jalalabad are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the area of the blast, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities or their home governments. The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Although travel is permissible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.