Kabul
A suicide bomber struck near an education centre in the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least 18 people and injuring 57, including schoolchildren. This is latest attack to hit the conflict-wracked country.
The explosion struck outside an education center in a heavily Shiite neighbourhood of western Kabul, Dasht-e-Barchi.
The interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian says that the attacker was trying to enter the center when he was stopped by security guards.
According to Arian, the casualty toll may rise further as family members of victims of the suicide bombing are still searching the several different hospitals where the wounded have been taken.
No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. The Taliban rejected any connection with the attack.
An Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for a similar suicide attack at an education center in August 2018, in which 34 students were killed. Within Afghanistan, IS has launched large-scale attacks on minority Shiites, Sikhs and Hindus, whom it views as apostates. “I was standing about 100 metres from the centre when a big blast knocked me down,” said local resident Ali Reza, who had gone to hospital with his cousin who was wounded in the blast.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned the ‘inhuman terrorist attack’ outside an educational center in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul city that resulted in the loss of innocent lives including children and injuries to many others.
In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry said, “We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and pray for early recovery of those injured.
He maintained that Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and will continue to support a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.— Agencies
