Kabul: A suicide blast at an educational institute in Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul on Friday has killed at least 23 people, mostly believed to be young women, and injured over 36.
The explosion took place at the Kaaj education centre in the Dasht-e-Barchi area, a predominantly Hazara neighbourhood, in the west of the city.
Kabul Police Spokesman Khalid Zadran told CNN that students were taking a practice university entrance exam at 7:30 am (local time) when the blast first took place.
خالد زدران، سخنگوی فرماندهی امنیه کابل، میگوید که بر بنیاد یافتههای ابتدایی دستکم نزده تن در حملهی امروز در مرکز آموزشی "کاج" جان باختهاند و بیستوهفت تن دیگر زخم برداشتهاند.
آقای زدران میافزاید که دانشآموزان برای گذراندن آزمون آزمایشی کانکور به این مرکز آمده بودند. pic.twitter.com/LTKkzyHiic— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) September 30, 2022
A doctor from Ali Jinah Hospital said that 23 people had been killed and 36 more were injured.
“I saw parents, other members of the families of the Kaaj students, screaming and running up and down,” Taiba Mehtarkhil, an eyewitness told the news website.
“Some were trying to get emergency medical attention to their loved ones and some others were looking for their sons and daughters. I saw around 20 killed and many more wounded with my own eyes.”
Another eyewitness said she was about 20 steps from the gate when the explosion threw her to the ground.
“When I got inside, I saw many of my classmates in blood. I found out that the explosion had happened inside my classroom,” she said.
Reactions to the incident
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid condemned the attack, in a tweet, on Friday: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls the attack on Kaj training center in the 13th district of Kabul a big crime, strongly condemns it, and expresses deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of this incident.”
“Serious measures will be taken to find and punish the perpetrators,” he added.
“I condemn today’s horrific attack on students at Kaaj Academy Dasht-e Barchi, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett said.
Repeat of 2018 ISKP attack at same location. Onslaught on education for Hazaras & Shia must end. Stop attacks on Afghanistan’s future,” he added.
“I condemn today’s horrific attack on students at Kaaj Academy Dasht-e Barchi. Repeat of 2018 ISKP attack at same location. Onslaught on education for Hazaras & Shia must end. Stop attacks on Afghanistan’s future,” UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett tweeted. pic.twitter.com/rrYdWAf6hG
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) September 30, 2022
UNICEF said it was “appalled by the horrific attack”. This heinous act claimed the lives of dozens of adolescent girls and boys and severely injured many more, it said.
UNICEF is appalled by the horrific attack, early this morning, inside the Kaaj Educational Center in the Dasht-e-Barchi district of West #Kabul, #Afghanistan.
This heinous act claimed the lives of dozens of adolescent girls and boys and severely injured many more. pic.twitter.com/xWj7L7p95o
— UNICEF Afghanistan (@UNICEFAfg) September 30, 2022
“Violence in or around education establishments is never acceptable. Such places must be havens of peace where children can learn, be with friends, and feel safe as they build skills for their futures. Children and adolescents are not, and must never be, the target of violence.”
“Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace and without fear,” the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission to Afghanistan said.
