Afghanistan: Earlier explosion near Eid Gah Mosque in Kabul results in multiple casualties Oct. 3 /update 1

Event

According to a statement released by Taliban officials, an earlier bomb explosion near the entrance to the Eid Gah Mosque in the Shar-e-Barq area of Kabul has resulted in multiple civilian casualties Oct. 3. Local Taliban officials stated that the blast killed two people and wounded four more, while some local media reports indicate it killed eight people and wounded 20 more. The explosion occurred while a memorial service for the mother of Taliban spokesperson Zabuhullah Mujahid was underway. Local media reports indicate casualties have occurred. Earlier reports of gunfire remain unconfirmed. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident; however, the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) is suspected.

Officials will likely maintain heightened security measures in the impacted area through Oct. 3. Localized transport and business disruptions are likely.

Context

IS-K activity remains concentrated in eastern Afghanistan though the group has carried out attacks on targets in the capital in the past. In addition to IS-K, the Taliban has faced some armed resistance from the National Resistance Front (NRF), a group comprised primarily of former Afghan government security forces and associated militias, in areas northeast of Kabul. The threats of terrorism and armed conflict are likely to remain elevated in Afghanistan over the near term.

Advice

Avoid the affected area until security officials give the all-clear. Plan for localized transport and business disruptions through the remainder of Oct. 3.