The Taliban confirmed that civilians were shot dead in central Afghanistan, but specifics were scarce. Spokesman Abdul Matin Qani stated, "Unknown gunmen have opened fire..." This highlights a concerning trend in violence against civilians, particularly targeting the Hazara community.
Local sources reported that unidentified gunmen on motorbikes killed at least 12 Hazara civilians at the border of Ghor and Daykundi provinces. They emphasized the danger of speaking out, stating, "We spoke with RFE/RL on condition of anonymity for security reasons," reflecting the precarious situation local informants face.
The attack occurred as a group gathered to welcome pilgrims returning from Karbala, a Shi'ite holy site. This detail emphasizes the sectarian nature of the violence, with the Islamic State's claim of responsibility indicating a targeted attack on the Hazara community.
The discrepancy in casualty figures, with one source stating 14 killed and another 12, underscores the chaotic aftermath of such attacks and the complexities in gathering accurate information amid ongoing threats, especially in regions affected by extremist violence.
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