KABUL – A survivor of a recent "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) attack in Daikundi shared his harrowing account of the incident.
Mukhtar, 24, who is hospitalized at Daikundi Provincial Hospital after being shot multiple times, was one of the passengers aboard a minibus ambushed by armed militants on September 12.
ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mukhtar described how four armed men on motorcycles stopped their vehicle and ordered everyone off the bus.
"When they made us get off the bus, they told us to line up for a photo," he told Salaam Times. "Out of fear, we stood in a row. One of them was busy filming and taking pictures, but the other three opened fire on us with Kalashnikovs and handguns."
"They were shooting at everyone's heads and chests, and the sound of gunfire never stopped," he recalled.
"We all fell to the ground. I saw some people with their brains exposed and others bleeding heavily. I felt several bullets hit my leg and shoulder, and I fell to the ground too."
"The ISIS attackers were laughing as they fired, saying they were killing infidels," Mukhtar said. "When they saw that everyone had been shot and fallen to the ground, they assumed we were all dead, got on their motorcycles and left."
"I called out, but no one responded. Only one young man next to me was moving his hand," he said. "Blood was flowing from all of us, and no one could move. Later, another vehicle from the local area arrived and took us to the hospital."
The ISIS-K attack was one of the deadliest against civilians this year. At least 14 people were killed on the spot and six others wounded. Local residents said one of the injured later died, raising the death toll to 15.
Public outrage
Videos and photos of the bloody attack have circulated on social media and news outlets, causing widespread fear and anger among local residents.
Hossein Alizada, 32, of Daikundi, said he has been plagued by nightmares, fear and anxiety after seeing the images of the victims.
"Every time the image of the victims' bodies comes to mind, I lose my emotional stability. The psychological pressure is so intense that I can't even eat," he told Salaam Times.
"By killing innocent and poor people en masse, ISIS-K once again demonstrated its cruelty and oppression," he said. "This terrorist group is an enemy of all Islamic and human values."
Contrary to government officials' claims, the threat from ISIS-K has grown significantly, and civilians' lives, particularly Hazaras, are in serious danger, Alizada said.
ISIS-K has again revealed its brutality and barbarism to Afghanistan and the world, said Mohammad Reza Safdari, 26, another Daikundi resident.
"The killing of innocent people, who were all poor farmers, is the height of horror and savagery," he said. "ISIS's presence in central regions of Afghanistan, where most of the population is Hazara and Shia, is deeply worrying and terrifying."
"People are not safe anywhere in the country," he said.
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While I ask Almighty God for forgiveness for the martyrs of the Daikundi (province)'s incident, I ask the governments of Palestine and Israel to stop killing each other and let the people of both countries live in peace. I watch and listen to the news for hours every day. In a few days, a year will be over on the last war between Israel and Palestine. This is devastating for both sides (Palestine and Israel). As an Afghan, I want both sides to stop the war immediately. Both the Israeli army (IDF) and the Palestinian army (Hamas) must lay down their weapons. Both sides should show mercy to the children and women who are being killed in Israel and Palestine. Children are innocent. Women are such a part of the society that they always take refuge with men because of their vulnerable body structure. Should men become as cruel as to kill someone who has asked them for refuge? No. Please let the children of Palestine and Israel enjoy their sweet childhood. Don't even teach them war at schools. Keep them away from learning to hate others. Modern war has two goals; one is economic and the other is religious. If your war is based on religion, the religions of Moses (PBUH) and Muhammad (PBUH) and the religion of Jesus (PBUH) all command to worship the same God. Muslims believe in Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (PBUH). If the war is for economic interests, both sides should use each other's capacities instead of destroying them and build their countries to stand on its feet. Our homeland was
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