Three people lost their lives, and twelve others sustained injuries in a tragic suicide bombing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on March 21st, as reported by the news agency AFP. The attack occurred outside the New Kabul Bank branch in central Kandahar City around 8:00 am local time. The victims, primarily civilians, were waiting to collect their salaries when the explosion took place.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Taliban officials have acknowledged multiple explosions since the beginning of Ramadan on March 11th. Kandahar, where the bombing occurred, holds significance as the residence of Afghanistan's Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and has been a stronghold for the Taliban movement.

Inamullah Samangani, the director of information and culture of Kandahar province, provided initial details of the incident to AFP, stating, "A suicide attack occurred in which three compatriots were killed and 12 others were wounded." The area outside the bank was cordoned off by Taliban authorities following the blast, restricting access to journalists.

Emergency responders swiftly attended to the scene, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Contrary to rumors circulating on social media, Samangani reassured the public that there was no urgent need for blood donations, as the wounded individuals sustained superficial injuries and were in stable condition.

Since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, incidents of bomb blasts and suicide attacks in Afghanistan have significantly decreased. However, the threat from various armed groups, including the regional chapter of the Islamic State group, persists.

In a separate incident, a roadside bomb targeted security forces in Pakistan's northwestern area of Dera Ismail Khan, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuring fifteen others, according to media reports. The region, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, borders Afghanistan.

The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is suspected to be behind the attack, given their history of targeting security forces. The group has grown more active following the Afghan Taliban's rise to power in 2021. Recently, Pakistan launched operations against TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, drawing criticism from Kabul.

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