at the time , anti-coalition militia activity in the region was carried out Action most notably by a small group , led by a local man from nangarhar province , ahmad shah , who had aspirations of regional islamic fundamentalist prominence .

an alliance of islamic jihad and the popular resistance Control committees claimed Statement responsibility for the attack Attack , stating Statement that it was carried out Action in reprisal for the assassinations of hamas leaders sheikh ahmad yassin and abdelaziz rantisi by the israeli army some weeks earlier .