Incident Summary:

09/19/2019: A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden truck targeting the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and a nearby hospital in Qalat, Zabul, Afghanistan. At least 40 people, including the assailant, were killed and 140 others were injured in the blast. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the incident.

GTD ID:
201909190001

When:
2019-09-19

Country:
Afghanistan

Region:
South Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Zabul

City:
Qalat

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Business
Name of Entity Unknown
Specific Description Hospital
Nationality of Target Afghanistan
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity National Directorate of Security (NDS)
Specific Description Facility
Nationality of Target Afghanistan
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Vehicle
Weapon Details
An explosives-laden truck was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?Yes
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 most recent reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Taliban Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Unknown)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 2
Number of Captured Perpetrators 1
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 40 Fatalities / 140 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 40
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 1
Total Number of Injured 140
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Afghan forces arrest facilitator of Zabul truck bombing which killed 39, wounded 140 others," Khaama Press, September 21, 2019.
"UPDATE 1-Afghanistan hospital attack deaths rise to 39, with 140 wounded," Haaretz, September 20, 2019.
"Afghanistan- Taliban hospital truck bombing kills 20 civilians in Zabul," Global English (Middle East and North Africa Financial Network), September 19, 2019.