Afghanistan — Historical Events Description

On 6 March 2019, a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside the office compound of a construction company in Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province, enabling armed assailants to enter and gun down employees and security personnel. The assault lasted for hours and left at least a dozen civilians dead and several others wounded, with rescue and security forces eventually regaining control of the site. The attackers targeted a civilian business that employed local workers, signaling a tactic of striking economic and civilian targets to sow fear and disruption.

The incident highlighted the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in eastern Afghanistan and their ability to mount coordinated, high-casualty attacks near urban centers. It also underscored the human vulnerability of everyday workplaces in conflict zones and the challenges of protecting non-combatants. Local authorities condemned the violence and called for strengthened protective measures for businesses and civilians.