The Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on tourists in Afghanistan’s central Bamiyan province, resulting in the deaths of three Spanish nationals and injuries to several others, according to a statement on the group’s Telegram channel on Sunday.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, left three Spanish tourists dead and at least one other Spaniard wounded, as confirmed by Spain’s foreign ministry. Afghan officials reported that an Afghan national was also killed, and an additional four foreigners and three Afghans were injured.
Following the incident, Afghan interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani stated that four suspects had been arrested. He condemned the attack, expressed condolences to the victims’ families, and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his sorrow over the incident on social media, offering condolences to the families and friends of the victims and pledging consular support.
The mountainous region of Bamiyan is known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes the remains of two giant Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban has vowed to restore security and has encouraged a gradual increase in tourism to the area, including the sale of tickets to access the Buddha statue sites.
Despite the end of the civil war with the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan continues to face violence from Islamic State and anti-Taliban insurgencies in certain regions. This recent attack highlights ongoing security challenges in the country.
Expanded Coverage:
