IS posted a photo of the attacker
Islamic State claim responsibility for targeting the Karte Sakhi Shia shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan killing 18 people and wounding at least 36 others.
Reuters reported,
“In its statement, Islamic State said the attacker detonated a suicide vest after firing all his ammunition, but security forces said they shot the man.
A Reuters video shows the suspected attacker’s body intact, with no sign of an explosive vest.”
The attack happened during Ashura as families gathered for a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. This resulted in a split within Islam and 2 sects, Sunni and Shia.
See following link for full story of the attack,
“Afghanistan: Shia community targeted in Kabul as shrine attacked by gunmen”
IS also known in the region as Wilayat Khorasan released the following statement via Amaq news agency affiliated to the group,
The Washington Post stated,
“Officials remain on high alert Wednesday, the climactic final day of the month of Muharram, when Shiite men ritually flagellate themselves in the streets as a sign of mourning. The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs had asked people not to congregate in large numbers or cover their car windows with paint, a common practice during Muharram that could potentially hide attackers.”
IS first emerged in Afghanistan in the summer of 2014 after several Taliban commanders defected from other groups to form Wilayat Khorasan, see following link,
“Are IS gaining a foothold in AfPak? New video release shows some allegiance in the region”
There is animosity between the Taliban and Islamic State which has led to conflict on a number of occasions. Islamic Emirate were quick to deny any involvement in this incident with spokesperson Zabihulla saying, “attack on shrine goers in Karta Sakhi, Kabul has nothing to with us, we are deeply affected by attack on civilians.”
IS also claimed responsibility for a blast in Kabul against Shia Hazara on the 23rd July, read here,
Islamic State claim responsibility for Kabul blast as Taliban state “they have no hand in this incident”
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 