A bomb exploded in Kabul, on Friday, killing 8 civilians in a heavily residential area according to an Afghani official. The bomb was attached to a handcart loaded with vegetables in an area where residents buy their daily groceries.

Police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said in a statement that "Security teams are trying to find the perpetrators," who have killed 8 and injured at least 18 people in the attack.      

Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid commented on the incident and said that the attack is the "work of those who are enemies of Islam and the country". This statement comes given the knowledge that the bomb targeted a Hazara mostly Shiite neighborhood, a denomination of Islam considered a minority in Afghanistan, that was commemorating the 7th day of the Holy month of Muharram.  

ISIS-K claimed the attack in a message on their Telegram channel. This is not the first attack against Shiite Afghans that ISIS-K claims. 

Despite that, the total number of violent attacks across Afghanistan has fallen since the Taliban returned to power in August of 2021. Even though Taliban officials insist their forces have defeated IS, analysts argue that the jihadist group remains a significant security concern for the ruling party.   

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