Suicide bombing in Afghanistan’s Kandahar kills three, injures 12

A suicide bombing in the Afghan city of Kandahar Thursday resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left twelve others wounded, agencies reported.

Kandahar, situated in the heartland of the Taliban-controlled territories, serves as a significant stronghold for the ruling authorities in Afghanistan.

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Although numerous explosions have been reported across the country since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on March 11, only a few have been officially acknowledged by Taliban officials.

While Afghanistan’s capital is Kabul, Kandahar city holds particular significance as the residence of Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. For decades, Kandahar has remained a stronghold of the Taliban movement, underscoring its importance within the country’s political and strategic landscape.

“A suicide attack occurred in which three compatriots were killed and 12 others were wounded, according to preliminary information,” said Inamullah Samangani, director of information and culture of Kandahar province.

The explosion at around 8:00 am (0330 GMT) targeted a group of people waiting outside the New Kabul Bank branch in central Kandahar city.

“Commonly our compatriots gather there to collect their salaries,” Samangani told AFP, adding that the “victims were civilians”.

Taliban authorities had surrounded the area outside the bank and did not let journalists close to the site.

However, an AFP journalist saw what appeared to be unconscious people or dead bodies being loaded into ambulances in the wake of the blast.

Firefighters and security personnel were clearing the area, where blood, scraps of clothes and shoes littered the ground.

Hospitals did not respond to requests for information, saying they had been told not to speak to the media.

Samangani said “the situation is under control” at one of the city’s hospitals where wounded were transported, denying that the need for blood donations was urgent as had circulated on social media.

“There is no such issue, and the wounded people are not in serious condition, they have superficial injuries,” he said in a message to journalists.

The number of bomb blasts and suicide attacks in Afghanistan has markedly declined since the Taliban ended their insurgency after seizing power in August 2021, ousting the US-backed government.

However, a number of armed groups — including the regional chapter of the Islamic State group — remain a threat.