ISIS Claims Afghan Temple Attack
The Islamic State said Abu Mohammed al-Tajiki stormed the temple after killing the guard and then attacked people inside with machine gun fire and hand grenades.
Militants outside the temple detonated four explosive devices and a car bomb against Taliban militia patrols trying to protect the temple.
The battle ended after three hours, according to Amaq’s report.
Videos posted on social media showed plumes of black smoke billowing from the temple in Kabul’s Bagh-e Bala neighborhood and gunshots could be heard.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Sikh temple in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, that killed at least one worshipper and wounded seven others.
The extremist group issued a statement on its Amaq website on Saturday night saying the assault on the “Sikh and Hindu temple” was in response to alleged insults against the Prophet Muhammad, the central figure of the Islamic religion, by an Indian government official. He did not say the name of the official.
Gunmen attacked the Sikh house of worship, known as Gurdwara, on Saturday morning and there was a shootout between the attackers and Taliban fighters seeking to protect the compound, Afghan officials said.
A vehicle full of explosives was detonated outside the temple, but there were no casualties. Before that, the gunmen threw a hand grenade that sparked a fire near the temple gate, officials said.
