On September 12, 2021, Taliban authorities confirmed that civilians were killed in an attack in central Afghanistan, stating, "Unknown gunmen have opened fire and have killed the civilians." The Taliban's interior ministry spokesman, Abdul Matin Qani, indicated further details about the incident would be forthcoming. However, local sources reported that at least 12 Hazara civilians were shot dead by unidentified armed men on motorbikes near the border of Ghor and Daykundi provinces, raising concerns over the ongoing violence in the region.
According to local reports, at least 12 and potentially 14 individuals were killed while four others sustained injuries during the ambush. The tragedy unfolded as a group was welcoming Shi’ite pilgrims returning from Karbala in Iraq, which highlights the sectarian nature of the attack, indicative of the heightened tensions facing the Hazara community, particularly following the resurgence of violence by extremist groups in Afghanistan.
The Islamic State extremist group later claimed responsibility for the brazen attack, further complicating the security landscape in Afghanistan. This incident marks a significant escalation in violence in a nation already grappling with humanitarian crises and political instability, putting the Taliban's control and promises of security under scrutiny.
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