Since the Taliban seized power in August 2021 toppling the US-backed government, the number of bombings and suicide attacks has dropped sharply.
However, several armed groups, including the regional branch of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist movement, remain a threat.
The explosion occurred as Shiite worshipers gathered for Friday prayers at the Imam Zaman Mosque in Pole Chomri, the provincial capital of Baghlan.
“Seven Shia compatriots were killed and 15 others injured in the suicide attack (…),” provincial information and media chief Mustafa Asadullah Hashimi said in a statement.
He added that law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene to “investigate how this heartbreaking incident took place.”
IS claimed responsibility for the attack.
The IS fighter “reached the center of the gathering (…) and then detonated his death belt,” the jihadist Amaq news agency said in a statement.
A source at the Baghlan provincial hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported a higher death toll, saying 19 bodies and 40 wounded patients had been brought to the hospital so far.
“Some of the dead and injured have also been taken to other private hospitals,” he told AFP news agency.
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#people #killed #suicide #bombing #Afghan #Shiite #mosque
**Interview with Dr. Sarah Thompson, Security Analyst and Expert on Afghan Affairs**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Thompson. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments in Afghanistan since the Taliban return to power.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s start with the claim that since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, we have seen a sharp decline in bombings and suicide attacks. What do you attribute this change to?
**Dr. Thompson:** There are a few factors at play. First, the Taliban’s stricter enforcement of their interpretation of law and order likely deters many groups from carrying out such attacks in the areas they control. Additionally, with the Taliban assuming power, many insurgent factions, like ISIS-Khorasan, face increased rivalry and pressure, which might be limiting their operational capabilities.
**Host:** Interesting. So, you’re saying that the Taliban’s control is effectively reducing violence in some respects. But what about the armed groups that still operate? What’s the situation with regional branches of militant organizations?
**Dr. Thompson:** While there’s a reduction in large-scale attacks, it doesn’t mean that the situation is entirely stable. Groups such as ISIS-K still pose a significant threat, often targeting Taliban positions. There’s also the matter of local grievances that can fuel insurgency and violence, so while we may witness lower casualty rates from bombings, the overall security situation remains fragile.
**Host:** That raises an important point. Given this landscape, what strategies do you think the Taliban must adopt to maintain their control and ensure stability?
**Dr. Thompson:** The Taliban will need to focus on governance, improving local livelihoods, and addressing public grievances. They might also need to find a way to coexist with or neutralize rival groups without escalating into broader conflict. Establishing legitimacy in the eyes of the Afghan people will be crucial for long-term stability.
**Host:** Thank you for that insight, Dr. Thompson. It seems like the Taliban’s return has created a complex situation in Afghanistan, balancing both reduced violence and ongoing threats from armed groups. We appreciate your expertise today.
**Dr. Thompson:** It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me.
