On Thursday, ISIS claimed responsibility for a brutal attack that left at least 14 Hazara civilians dead on the road between Daikundi and Ghor provinces. The terrorist group announced that the assault, which specifically targeted members of the Shia Hazara community, resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians and injuries to six others.
According to ISIS, its fighters opened fire on the group of civilians in an effort to strike at the Shia population. However, local sources have confirmed the deaths of 14 men and the injury of four others. The victims were reportedly traveling to Ghor province to greet pilgrims returning from the Arbaeen ceremony, a major Shia religious event.
The attack occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday in the village of Qorudal, located between Ghor province and the Sangtakht and Bandar district of Daikundi. The violent incident underscores the persistent security threats faced by the Hazara community, an ethnic minority repeatedly targeted by ISIS in recent years.
The Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, have downplayed the threat posed by ISIS in the country. However, this latest attack once again highlights the vulnerability of ethnic minorities like the Hazaras and raises critical concerns about the effectiveness of security measures in the region.
On the same day, Taliban-controlled national television reported that Daikundi’s governor, Maulvi Najibullah Rafi, had visited the Sangtakht Bandar and Khadir areas the day before the attack. During his visit, he emphasized communal prayers, obedience to superiors, and adherence to the orders of Taliban leadership.
The attack has intensified calls for the international community to pay greater attention to the rising violence in Afghanistan, particularly the targeted attacks on ethnic and religious groups like the Hazaras.
