By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

Bamiyan, Afghanistan, May 20, 2024 — The terrorist group Daesh/ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack that left three Spanish tourists and their Afghan guide dead in Bamiyan, Afghanistan. The attack occurred on Friday as the victims were shopping in a local market, roughly 180 kilometers (110 miles) west of Kabul.

In a statement released on its Telegram channels on Sunday, Daesh/ISIS stated that “fighters shot at Christian tourists and their Shiite companions with machine guns.” This brutal attack has once again highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the extremist group in the region.

The incident also resulted in injuries to four other foreigners and three Afghans. The Taliban’s interim Interior Ministry spokesman, Abdul Mateen Qaniee, announced on Saturday that seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.

Bamiyan, a mountainous province, is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the remnants of two colossal Buddha statues, which once stood 125 feet (38 meters) and 180 feet (55 meters) tall. These statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, but have since been partially restored by a Japanese team.

This recent attack underscores the fragile security situation in Afghanistan, where various militant groups continue to operate despite efforts to stabilize the country. The targeting of tourists and locals in a historically significant area adds to the complexity of securing peace and preserving cultural heritage in Afghanistan.

As authorities investigate the incident and seek to bring those responsible to justice, the international community remains watchful, hoping for a resolution that will prevent further violence and protect innocent lives in the region.