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In a jarring incident that unfolded on Monday, a powerful explosion tore through a bustling hotel nestled in the heart of Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost. The blast, which reverberated through the city, claimed the lives of at least three individuals and inflicted injuries upon seven others, as confirmed by local law enforcement.
The hotel, a favored haunt for both Afghan locals and refugees who had fled the turbulent regions of Pakistan's once notorious North Waziristan, bore witness to the devastation. Mustaghfir Gurbaz, a spokesperson for the police force in Khost, shed light on the incident, sharing that the blast's epicenter was within the walls of this well-known establishment.
As investigators diligently unravel the mysteries shrouding this catastrophe, questions surrounding the origin and motives behind the explosion beckon for answers. No group has stepped forward to claim responsibility for this horrifying act. However, suspicions cast a shadow toward the Islamic State's regional affiliate, the enigmatic Islamic State in Khorasan Province, given their track record of orchestrating past assaults, as reported by PTI.
Curiously absent from official accounts is information regarding the Pakistani refugees who found temporary solace within the hotel's premises. Authorities in Pakistan have long alleged the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members in Khost and other Afghan locales. The TTP, although distinct from its Afghan counterparts, maintains an intricate alliance with the Afghan Taliban, a faction that emerged victorious in Afghanistan's tumultuous power transition back in August 2021.
The Pakistani Taliban, facing a shifting landscape, has sought sanctuary in Afghanistan, leveraging the chaos surrounding the Taliban's resurgence to their advantage.
