According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the main Taliban government spokesman in Kabul, the operation took place in a residential neighbourhood, targeting IS militants who were planning to organise attacks in the Afghan capital. He said the Kher Khana neighbourhood is an important IS hideout.
The minivans were targeted in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif after explosive devices were placed inside the vehicles, according to Mohammad Asif Waziri, a Taliban-appointed spokesman in Balkh province.
"The European Union mourns with the families of the victims and wishes those injured a full and speedy recovery," said Peter Stano, spokesperson of European Union External Action Service (EEAS).