Islamic State’s Khorasan arm targets government ministry

On Apr. 20, a small team of jihadists attacked the Ministry of Communications building in Kabul, Afghanistan. Within hours, the Islamic State released a claim of responsibility along with a photo (seen above) of the young men who allegedly carried out the operation.

Meanwhile, the Taliban’s spokesman denied responsibility on behalf of his organization.

Initial casualty reports say that a dozen people were killed in the assault. Afghan officials described a typical operation by the jihadis. According to VOA News, Police Chief General Sayed Mohammad Roshandil explained that one member of the team blew himself up outside of the ministry, allowing others to rush in.

Via Twitter, Afghanistan’s interior ministry reported that more than 2,000 civilians were evacuated from the ministry and nearby building. All of the terrorists were killed within several hours.

The Islamic State’s regional arm has repeatedly targeted both official and civilian facilities, as well as religious gatherings, in the Afghan capital.

The so-called caliphate’s loyalists have hit multiple government ministries and official establishments. Such operations are undoubtedly intended to disrupt the government’s operations and discourage civilian service.

Their targets in Kabul have included the Marshal Fahim National Defense University, voter registration sites, the Afghan intelligence headquarters, the Ministry of Interior, the Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, and the Hamid Karzai International Airport, among many other government sites.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s representatives have also repeatedly bombed Shiite civilians at mosques and other locales in Kabul.

Source: LWJ