Kunduz Bank Blast Kills 25, Including Taliban Commander

A suicide bomb explosion outside a Kabul Bank branch in Kunduz, Afghanistan, on Tuesday morning has resulted in at least 25 fatalities, primarily among Taliban members, with over 30 others injured. Among those killed was Zakariya, a Taliban security commander for the city’s Police District 4. The blast occurred around 8:30 a.m. local time, and local sources warn that the death toll may rise due to the critical condition of several injured individuals. While the Taliban have confirmed the explosion, they have not provided an official casualty count, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident highlights ongoing security concerns in the region, as Taliban officials had previously cautioned their members against visiting banks due to potential threats. The attack underscores the challenges Afghan authorities face in maintaining security amid rising violence in northeastern Afghanistan.