A suicide bombing outside a Kabul Bank branch in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan, killed at least 21 Taliban members and wounded more than 30 others on Tuesday, according to local sources. The explosion occurred as many Taliban officials gathered to collect their salaries, raising concerns over security threats facing the group’s administration.
Juma Din Khaksar, the provincial police spokesman, confirmed that “a suicide bomber detonated explosives near a crowd of people waiting in line.” He added that the victims included civilians, civil servants, and members of the Taliban security forces.
Abdul Salam, a paramedic in Kunduz, told The Media Line that “at least 17 bodies were brought to the facility,” though another hospital source indicated that the death toll could be even higher. Several of the wounded were transferred to different medical facilities, including Sarhadi Hospital in Kunduz and the Corps Medical Center. The Taliban later acknowledged that two bank security guards were among the dead.
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The attack comes as the Taliban faces mounting security concerns, with officials previously warning their personnel against gathering at banks due to potential threats. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
A similar attack took place outside a bank in Kandahar in March 2023, killing three people. Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP), the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group, later claimed responsibility for that attack.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the US withdrawal, IS-KP has carried out numerous bombings, targeting Taliban forces, religious minorities, and foreign diplomatic missions. The group has sought to undermine the Taliban-led government by demonstrating its ability to execute high-profile attacks.
Unlike the Taliban, which has sought international recognition, IS-KP rejects negotiations and aims to establish a global jihadist caliphate. The Taliban has launched security crackdowns to curb the group’s activities, but IS-KP remains a persistent challenge.
Afghanistan’s deteriorating security situation has raised concerns that the country could once again become a hub for transnational terrorism. Without a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy and international cooperation, IS-KP is likely to continue posing a major threat to both the Taliban administration and regional stability.