The terrorists of Islamic State (IS) launched a brutal attack in central Afghanistan targeting Shi’ite pilgrims. The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) released images on September 12 showing the aftermath of the massacre, which specifically targeted members of the Hazara minority, a group that has long been persecuted by the Sunni IS-K.
According to Hadi Rahimi Zada, a former council member in Daykundi Province where the attack occurred, 14 people were killed by unidentified gunmen. Reportedly, the assailants were armed men on motorcycles. The victims were part of a gathering organized to welcome pilgrims returning from Karbala, a Shi’ite holy site in Iraq. The pilgrims had recently returned to Firouzkoh from Karbala, and the attackers targeted the crowd of young men, resulting in 14 deaths and five injuries.
Abdul Matin Qani, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s Interior Ministry, confirmed the attack in Daykundi Province, stating that more details would be released later. The IS-K has been responsible for numerous attacks since the Taliban took power in August 2021, frequently targeting Taliban officials, foreign nationals, and the Shi’ite Hazara community.
Founded in Afghanistan in 2014 as a regional extension of the Islamic State, the ISKP seeks to expand its influence throughout South and Central Asia. The term “Khorasan” refers to a historical region encompassing parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, ISKP has been actively orchestrating attacks across the country, denouncing the Taliban regime as “apostate” and exacerbating the violent conflict between the two groups.