MAZAR-I-SHARIF: A bomb blast in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Saturday killed a security guard and wounded several journalists and children, police and witnesses said.
Two days before, Daesh-claimed suicide bombers assassinated the Taliban governor of northern Balkh province.
On Thursday, the Taliban assassinated Mohammad Dawood Muzammil in Mazar-i-Sharif, the Balkh province capital.
Saturday’s blast occurred during a Mazar-i-Sharif cultural center event honoring Afghanistan’s media. Authorities reported a security guard dead and five journalists wounded.
The incident wounded Afghan journalist Atif Arian, who told AFP, “I heard a tremendous bang… then there was commotion as everyone was attempting to escape.”
Arian said the blast occurred minutes after a Taliban official spoke while youngsters sang an anthem.
Before the Taliban took power, Daesh attacked Afghan journalists.
“Targeting journalists during an event to honor reporters is a terrible and cowardly act,” said Committee to Protect Journalists Asia program director Beh Lih Yi.
“The Taliban must investigate immediately, bring the murderers to prison, and remove impunity for journalist attackers.”
Daesh has carried out multiple devastating strikes in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power.
Since last year, the gang has attacked Afghan civilians, foreigners, and foreign interests.
