Taliban Claims Kunduz Suicide Attack Originated Outside Afghanistan
The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior has claimed that recent attacks in Afghanistan originate from outside the country, following a suicide bombing in Kunduz that left several dead.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior has claimed that recent attacks in Afghanistan originate from outside the country, following a suicide bombing in Kunduz that left several dead.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that findings and evidence suggest the perpetrators of such attacks “have roots beyond Afghanistan’s borders.”
“They organise their evil acts from outside,” Qani said, without providing further details. While he did not specify any country or group, he emphasised that the Taliban would identify and punish those responsible for the Kunduz attack.
The suicide bombing occurred on Tuesday at the entrance of the Kabul Bank branch in Kunduz.
ISIS later claimed responsibility, asserting that “hundreds of people, including Taliban security commanders,” were killed.
However, the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior reported a lower death toll, stating that eight people, including Taliban members and civilians, were killed.
Local sources told Afghanistan International that at least 18 people were killed and 14 others injured, with most victims belonging to the Taliban’s army and police forces.
According to reports, the suicide bomber targeted Taliban forces who were waiting to collect their salaries at the bank entrance.
The attack bears similarities to past Taliban operations against Afghan security forces.
In 2017, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near the Kabul Bank gate in Helmand, killing 29 people and injuring 60 others. The Taliban had claimed responsibility for that attack.
A report by Afghanistan International revealed that between 2002 and 2020, the Taliban carried out approximately 1,196 suicide attacks in Afghanistan, with most bombers trained by the Haqqani Network.
