Armed men linked to Daesh Khorasan stormed a Shia Hazara community gathering in Daikundi province, Afghanistan. The attack left at least 15 people dead and 6 injured. The Afghan Ministry of Interior confirmed that the assailants opened fire indiscriminately on families welcoming pilgrims from Karbala.
Daesh Khorasan, a notorious group known for its brutal attacks, claimed responsibility for this assault. This group has a history of targeting mosques and Taliban security forces, despite the Taliban’s assertion that they have significantly weakened Daesh Khorasan since taking power in 2021.
The Taliban has largely restored peace, claiming to have dealt with most armed gangs and criminals. However, Daesh Khorasan remains a significant threat. Earlier this month, Daesh Khorasan executed a suicide attack in Kabul, killing six people. In May, they also targeted tourists, killing six, including three foreigners.
Daesh Khorasan operates across Afghanistan, Iran, and parts of Central Asia. The United Nations counter-terrorism agency recently warned that Daesh Khorasan has become the biggest terrorist threat to Europe, having enhanced its financial and logistical capabilities over the past six months. Despite this, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed the UN warning as propaganda, insisting that Daesh Khorasan has been greatly weakened in Afghanistan.
