Two people died and nine others were injured in an explosion at a commercial centre in the Afghan capital on Thursday, police said.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said in a message to reporters the explosion occurred in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul -- an enclave of the historically oppressed Shiite Hazara community.

"A police investigation team has reached the area and is working to uncover the cause of the explosion," he said.

The nine injured had been taken to a hospital, he added, without providing details on the seriousness of their injuries.&nbsp;

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Images shared on social media that could not be immediately independently verified showed the sides blown out of part of a multi-story building that was still blazing with fire.&nbsp;

Mitts used in martial arts training were among shattered glass on the ground in one video and local media reports said the site of the blast housed a sports gym.

The Islamic State group, which considers Shiites heretics, has carried out several deadly attacks in the same area in recent years targeting schools, mosques and gyms.

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The number of bomb blasts and suicide attacks has reduced dramatically since the Taliban ended their insurgency after seizing power in August 2021, ousting the US-backed government.

However, a number of armed groups -- including the regional chapter of IS -- remain a threat.

Two people died and nine others were injured in an explosion at a commercial centre in the Afghan capital on Thursday, police said. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said in a message to reporters the explosion occurred in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul -- an enclave of the historically oppressed Shiite Hazara community.

Two people died and nine others were injured in an explosion at a commercial centre in the Afghan capital on Thursday, police said. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said in a message to reporters the explosion occurred in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul -- an enclave of the historically oppressed Shiite Hazara community. "A police investigation team has reached the area and is working to uncover the cause of the explosion," he said. The nine injured had been taken to a hospital, he added, without providing details on the seriousness of their injuries. ALSO READ | About 200 Afghan refugees to relocate from Pakistan to UK on charter flights on Oct 26 Images shared on social media that could not be immediately independently verified showed the sides blown out of part of a multi-story building that was still blazing with fire. Mitts used in martial arts training were among shattered glass on the ground in one video and local media reports said the site of the blast housed a sports gym. The Islamic State group, which considers Shiites heretics, has carried out several deadly attacks in the same area in recent years targeting schools, mosques and gyms. ALSO READ | Nawaz Sharif gets major relief from court, army-dominated NAB in corruption cases The number of bomb blasts and suicide attacks has reduced dramatically since the Taliban ended their insurgency after seizing power in August 2021, ousting the US-backed government. However, a number of armed groups -- including the regional chapter of IS -- remain a threat.

Afghanistan: At least two killed, nine injured after blast in predominantly Shiite Kabul neighbourhood

A suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State killed at least 15 in a Shiite area of northern Baghdad today, security and medical officials said. 
 
The bombing, which struck near a checkpoint in the Kadhimiyah area, home to a major Shiite shrine, also wounded at least 29, the officials said. 
 
IS issued a statement claiming the attack, saying it targeted soldiers and pro-government paramilitaries in the area. 
 
The jihadist group frequently carries out attacks on security forces, and also often targets members of Iraq&#39;s Shiite Muslim majority, whom it considers heretics. 
 
An IS suicide bomber struck shoppers in Baghdad&#39;s central Karrada district earlier this month, killing 292. 
 
The group also claimed an attack on a Shiite shrine in Balad, north of the capital, that left 40 dead a few days later. 
 
IS over-ran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant ground and are conducting operations to set the stage for the battle to recapture Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country. 
 
The jihadists have responded to the battlefield setbacks by striking civilians, and experts have warned there may be more such attacks as the jihadists continue to lose ground. 
 
(AFP)

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority, whom it considers heretic

A suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State killed at least 15 in a Shiite area of northern Baghdad today, security and medical officials said. The bombing, which struck near a checkpoint in the Kadhimiyah area, home to a major Shiite shrine, also wounded at least 29, the officials said. IS issued a statement claiming the attack, saying it targeted soldiers and pro-government paramilitaries in the area. The jihadist group frequently carries out attacks on security forces, and also often targets members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority, whom it considers heretics. An IS suicide bomber struck shoppers in Baghdad's central Karrada district earlier this month, killing 292. The group also claimed an attack on a Shiite shrine in Balad, north of the capital, that left 40 dead a few days later. IS over-ran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant ground and are conducting operations to set the stage for the battle to recapture Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country. The jihadists have responded to the battlefield setbacks by striking civilians, and experts have warned there may be more such attacks as the jihadists continue to lose ground. (AFP)

Suicide bomber kills 15 in Baghdad near Shiite area

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Afghanistan: At least two killed, nine injured after blast in predominantly Shiite Kabul neighbourhood

Suicide bomber kills 15 in Baghdad near Shiite area