Kunduz: The death toll from a suicide bombing outside a Kabul Bank branch in Kunduz has risen to 25, with at least 30 others injured, according to local sources. The attack, which took place on Tuesday morning, primarily targeted Taliban members, including a high-ranking security official.
Local sources confirmed that Zakariya, the Taliban’s security commander for Kunduz’s Police District 4, was among those killed in the explosion. Taliban authorities in Kunduz acknowledged the attack, stating that five people, including both civilians and Taliban personnel, lost their lives, while seven others sustained injuries.
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time, and the bodies of the deceased were transported to the Taliban’s 217 Omari Corps clinic.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, the incident comes amid growing concerns over the resurgence of ISIS-K in Afghanistan. A UN meeting held on Monday highlighted the increasing strength of the group, warning that it poses a serious threat not only to Afghanistan and the Taliban but also to global security. The Taliban, however, dismissed these claims, insisting that ISIS-K has been neutralized in the country.
Despite the Taliban’s recent directive instructing military and security personnel to avoid banks when collecting salaries, this attack raises concerns about security vulnerabilities and the potential resurgence of extremist groups in the region.
