The extremist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed the governor of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan and two others in his office.
ISIS’s regional affiliate, known as ISIS in Khorasan Province, is one of the main rivals of the Taliban. The group has increased its attacks in the country since the Taliban took over the country in August 2021. Its targets include Taliban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s Shia minority.
Thursday’s attack in the town of Mazar-e-Sharif killed three people, including Governor Daud Muzmal, and injured four others, local police spokesman Mohammad Asif Waziri said.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on Thursday evening and identified the attacker as Abdul Haq al-Khorasani. According to the group, the suicide bomber passed all security checks to access the official building and carried out the attack.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s main spokesman, noted that Muzmal was killed “by the enemies of Islam”. Authorities are investigating the incident, he said without giving further details.
Muzmal is one of the most senior Taliban figures assassinated since he came to power in mid-August 2021, coinciding with the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from the country after 20 years of war.
In recent months, the Taliban have cracked down on the radical militia. Its security forces killed several regional members, including leaders, in separate operations in February.
Taliban forces have also arrested members of the group in raids, including foreigners planning deadly attacks, Mujahid said.