A suicide bomber affiliated with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) was killed before carrying out an attack in Afghanistan’s western Herat province, security sources confirmed on Monday.
According to local sources, the attacker was attempting to target the deputy commander of the provincial Air Force. However, due to the vigilance and timely response of security personnel deployed in the area, the bomber was intercepted and neutralized before he could reach his intended target.
Following the incident, security forces immediately cordoned off the area as a precautionary measure. The body of the suspected suicide bomber was taken into custody, and efforts are currently underway to determine his identity and possible network affiliations. No casualties were reported among security personnel or civilians.
The development comes amid heightened concerns over ISKP’s continued efforts to carry out high-profile attacks in the region. Just one or two days earlier, the same group claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of a prominent local religious figure in South Waziristan, underscoring its transnational operational reach.
It is also noteworthy that in late September last year, an ISKP commander involved in orchestrating terrorist attacks in Pakistan was killed by unidentified assailants in Mazar-e-Sharif, dealing a significant blow to the group’s regional leadership.
ISKP is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous global terrorist organizations and a major threat to international peace and security. This concern intensified last year when reports emerged suggesting that the group could exploit returning Afghan refugees to recruit and radicalize individuals for its violent agenda. The warnings triggered alarm not only across the region but also at the international level.
Security analysts believe that the foiled attack in Herat highlights both the persistent threat posed by ISKP and the importance of sustained counterterrorism vigilance to prevent further violence in Afghanistan and beyond.
