At least 7 civilians killed in minibus explosion in Afghan capital

A minibus exploded in a mostly Shia Muslim neighborhood in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, killing at least seven civilians and wounding more than 20 others, authorities said Tuesday.

This is the second blast to have struck the area in as many weeks.

Police spokesman, Khalid Zadran, said the explosion took place in the western part of the city in Dashti Barchi area. The cause remained unknown, but police launched an investigation, he said.

At least 7 killed and over 30 wounded in an explosion in a civilian minibus in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul. It is a predominantly Hazara area. No claim of responsibility yet but ISKP is the likely suspect. #Afghanistan https://t.co/7i4gN5PLqL pic.twitter.com/mag7ElnEEY

— FJ (@Natsecjeff) November 7, 2023

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but an affiliate of the Islamic State group has targeted in the past Shia schools, hospitals and mosques in the same area.

In late October, the militant group claimed responsibility for an attack in Dashti Barchi that killed at least four people and critically wounded about seven others. In a statement, through its news agency Aamaq, it said it "managed to leave a booby-trapped suitcase inside a Shia gathering place."

The group has also attacked other Shia areas of Afghanistan in recent years.

IS has been waging a campaign of violence since the Taliban took power in August 2021.