ISLAMABAD — On Tuesday, a suicide bomber detonated explosives near a bank in northern Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuring seven others, according to local police reports.

The incident occurred close to a Kabul Bank branch situated in Kunduz province, as noted by police spokesperson Jumauddin Khaksar. Among those who lost their lives was a security guard employed at the bank.

As of now, no group has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the attack, and Khaksar mentioned that police are actively pursuing leads to identify those behind the incident. However, no additional information was provided regarding the attack’s specifics.

Militants associated with the Afghan factions of the Islamic State group have previously executed bombings throughout the country. Nevertheless, incidents involving suicide bombers have noticeably decreased since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, subsequent to the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces after two decades of military presence.

The Islamic State affiliate has particularly focused its assaults against minority Shiite Muslim communities, especially within the capital, Kabul.

This recent attack follows a suicide bombing in Kabul two months ago that resulted in the death of Khalil Haqqani, the Taliban’s refugee minister, along with two others. This marked one of the most audacious strikes on a member of the Taliban’s top leadership since the group’s takeover.