Suicide Attack in Konduz Claims 51 Lives: Threat Looms Over Other Northern Cities

Konduz, Afghanistan – February 11, 2025

In a devastating attack today at 8:31 AM, a young Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) operative detonated a suicide vest at the Kabul Bank branch in Konduz city. The blast has left 51 people dead and 30 others injured, according to reports from local hospitals and Kauser News Agency’s intelligence reporters in the area.

The incident is a grim reminder of the high threat posed by ISKP, just days after Kauser News Agency’s February 9th report highlighting the group’s expansion and growing operational capacity in northern Afghanistan.

Chaos in Konduz

Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene at the Kabul Bank, where civilians and government employees had gathered early in the morning to withdraw their salaries. “There was a loud explosion, and everything turned to chaos. People were running and screaming,” said one survivor who escaped the blast.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals. Hospital officials have warned that the death toll could rise as many victims remain in critical condition.

Threat Spreads Across Northern Cities

Intelligence reports suggest that other northern cities, including Mazar-e-Sharif, Faizabad, and Taloqan, may be targeted next by ISKP and their Al-Qaeda allies. Security forces in these regions have been placed on high alert, but concerns persist over their ability to prevent further attacks.

The coordinated threat from ISKP and Al-Qaeda underscores the deteriorating security situation in northern Afghanistan, with extremists exploiting the Taliban’s inability to maintain control in remote provinces.

Regional Impact and Growing Fear

The attack in Konduz has sparked fear among residents across the region. Businesses have shut down, and public gatherings have been canceled as people brace for potential follow-up attacks.

This wave of violence also highlights ISKP’s capacity to strike high-profile civilian targets, spreading terror and undermining public confidence in the Taliban administration. The coordinated nature of these attacks signals ISKP’s growing operational sophistication and the deepening collaboration between extremist groups in Afghanistan.

International and Local Responses Needed

The international community and regional stakeholders must urgently address the escalating threat. Security analysts are calling for immediate measures to bolster intelligence sharing, improve security in urban centers, and provide resources to counter-terrorism operations in northern Afghanistan.

For residents of Konduz and other threatened cities, the priority is survival. “We need protection,” said one local shopkeeper in Taloqan. “If the Taliban cannot stop these attacks, then who can?”

Kauser News Agency continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as new developments emerge.

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