Kabul: Terror group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the killing of the Taliban governor of Afghanistan's northern Balkh province.

He has been identified as Mohammad Dawood Muzammil.

According to reports, he was killed in his office located in Afghanistan's  Mazar-e Sharif city on Thursday.

He is the most senior Taliban official to be killed since the militants returned to power in 2021, reports BBC.

ISIS has taken responsibility for several attacks in Afghanistan ever since the insurgent force came to power in the country.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter that the governor had been "martyred in an explosion by the enemies of Islam", reports BBC.

According to reports,  Mohammad Dawood Muzammil had taken the lead role in fighting against ISIS during his previous posting as governor of  Nangarhar.

SITE Intelligence Group Director Rita Katz tweeted: " #ISIS claimed today's suicide bombing in Mazar-e-Sharif #Afghanistan targeting Mohammad Dawood Muzammil, a top Taliban official + governor for Balkh. Comes day after claim of killing a Taliban official in Herat, marking rebound in country after quiet Feb."