Incident Summary:

05/18/2019: An explosives-laden motorcycle detonated targeting a district chief’s vehicle in Obe district, Herat, Afghanistan. At least four civilians were killed and 14 others, including the district chief, were injured in the blast. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Taliban.

GTD ID:
201905180001

When:
2019-05-18

Country:
Afghanistan

Region:
South Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Herat

City:
Obe district

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Assassination
Successful Attack? (more) No
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Government of Oba
Specific Description Vehicle of District Chief
Nationality of Target Afghanistan
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Not Applicable
Specific Description Vehicle
Nationality of Target Afghanistan
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Unknown
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Sticky Bomb
Weapon Details
A remote-controlled explosive device attached to a motorcycle was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the majority reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Taliban No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 4 Fatalities / 14 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 4
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 14
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Three children killed in market bombing in Afghanistan," Qatar Tribune, May 19, 2019.
"Afghanistan Bomb Blast: 4 Killed, 14 Injured In Herat," Outlook India, May 18, 2019.
"Official: Bomb blast in western Afghanistan kills 2," FOXNews.com, May 18, 2019.