Kabul attack
ISIS claims responsibility for Kabul Gurdwara attack, cites retaliation for 'insults' to Prophet: Report
Kabul/IBNS: Terror outfit ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Gurdwara in Afghanistan, claiming it was retaliation for 'insults' to Prophet Muhammed.
Protests sparked in several countries following Indian politician, now suspended by the ruling BJP, Nupur Sharma's remarks earlier this month about the Prophet.
In a message posted on its Amaq propaganda site, ISIS said Saturday's attack targeted Hindus and Sikhs and the "apostates" who protected them in "an act of support for the Messenger of Allah".
The group said one of its fighters "penetrated a temple for Hindu and Sikh polytheists in Kabul, after killing its guard, and opened fire on the pagans inside with his machine gun and hand grenades".
A suicide attacker stormed the temple on Saturday morning armed with a machine gun and hand grenades after killing its guard.
Two people were killed and at least seven others injured in the attack.
Other militants fought for more than three hours with Taliban fighters who tried to intervene to protect the temple, targeting them with four explosive devices and a car bomb, the militant group said.
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the "cowardly" terrorist attack at Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kabul. He also prayed for the safety and well-being of the devotees.
In a tweet, he said: "Shocked by the cowardly terrorist attack against the Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kabul. I condemn this barbaric attack, and pray for the safety and well-being of the devotees."
Shocked by the cowardly terrorist attack against the Karte Parwan Gurudwara in Kabul. I condemn this barbaric attack, and pray for the safety and well-being of the devotees.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2022
The attack follows a visit by an Indian delegation to Kabul to discuss the distribution of humanitarian aid from India to Afghanistan.
Since taking power in August, the Taliban say they have increased security in Afghanistan and removed the militant threats from the country, although international officials and analysts say the risk of a resurgence in militancy remains.
Saturday's blast was widely condemned as one of a series of attacks targeting minorities, with a statement from neighbouring Pakistan saying its government was “seriously concerned at the recent spate of terrorist attacks on places of worship in Afghanistan.”
[With UNI inputs]
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