Afghanistan: mini-bus struck by explosion in western Kabul

A minibus was hit by an explosion near a Taliban checkpoint in Kabul late Saturday afternoon, witnesses said, adding that gunfire was later heard.

The presence of possible victims was not immediately specified.

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The explosion took place in the district of the Hazara Shiite minority of Dasht-e-Barchi, around 1:00 p.m. GMT.

Photos showing a large flame escaping from a charred vehicle and black smoke quickly circulated on social media.

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This happened near a checkpoint held by the Taliban, said the witness.

The Hazara minority, which represents between 10 and 20% of the Afghan population and has been targeted in the past by the Taliban, is also particularly targeted by the jihadist organization Islamic State.

On Friday, a mosque in the Jalalabad region (East) was hit by an explosion that left three dead and 15 injured, according to a doctor at the local hospital.

At the beginning of May, the district of Dasht-e-Barchi had been hit by a bloody attack.

A series of explosions had occurred in front of a school for girls.

More than 85 people, mostly high school girls, had been killed and more than 300 injured.

A car bomb first exploded in front of the school and then two more bombs followed as the students rushed outside.

IS is strongly suspected of having carried out this attack.

Read alsoAfghanistan: the explosion of a mosque kills at least three

Since the Taliban took power in mid-August, IS fighters have notably attacked the national military hospital in the Afghan capital in early November, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 50.