Four Injured In Kandahar Ammunition Explosion, Says Taliban
The Taliban police command in Kandahar said four of its fighters were injured Thursday in an explosion at its headquarters, attributing the blast to a container of "old ammunition."
The Taliban police command in Kandahar said four of its fighters were injured Thursday in an explosion at its headquarters, attributing the blast to a container of "old ammunition."
The incident occurred on April 10, 2025, in the provincial capital, a key stronghold of the group’s leadership.
According to a statement from the Taliban police command’s press office, the explosion took place while the four injured fighters were guarding the container. The statement provided no further details on the nature of the ammunition or the extent of the injuries.
Local sources told Afghanistan International that the blast occurred around 6 a.m. local time near Aino Mina township, a residential area in central Kandahar’s fifth district, adjacent to the police headquarters. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire following the explosion, with videos showing plumes of smoke rising from the site and the sound of heavy shooting in the vicinity.
One local source indicated the explosion originated within the Taliban’s "reform commission" at the police headquarters, though the Taliban statement did not confirm this. Residents also observed ambulances rushing to the scene in the aftermath.
Kandahar serves as the primary base for Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is known to reside intermittently in Aino Mina, a luxurious township that houses several senior Taliban officials. Reports suggest Akhundzada frequently stays at a guesthouse once used by Gen. Abdul Raziq, a prominent police commander under Afghanistan’s previous government.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, and the Taliban has not indicated whether it suspects foul play. Local accounts and footage shared with Afghanistan International underscore the intensity of the incident, which rattled the city early Thursday morning.
