KABUL, Afghanistan — According to a Taliban spokesperson, a bomb exploded near a checkpoint at Kabul’s military airport on Sunday morning, killing and wounded “many” persons. This is the first fatal explosion in Afghanistan in 2023.
No one immediately claimed credit for the attack, but the Islamic State affiliate in Khorasan Province has upped its activities since the Taliban took power in 2021. Targets have included Taliban patrols and members of the Shia minority in Afghanistan.
The military airport is just 200 meters from the civilian airport and near to the Interior Ministry, which was the target of at least four suicide bombings in October of last year.
According to the spokesman for the Interior Ministry, Abdul Nafi Takor, the explosion resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. He did not provide exact numbers or more information on the bombing, stating that probe data will be disclosed later.
Although Taliban security guards prohibited photography and recording directly at the blast scene, the checkpoint appeared to be intact despite being destroyed. Airport Road links to high-security neighborhoods that contain government agencies, international embassies, and the presidential palace.
Khalid Zadran, the chief of police in Kabul, did not immediately have a spokesperson available for comment.
»‘Numerous’ dead and wounded after bombing at Kabul military airport checkpoint«