Kabul weeps as an explosion near a school in the west Kabul district of Dasht-e-Barchi, killed at least 30 people. There is a majority of young female students among the dead and wounded.
No group has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s blast. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the group’s involvement and condemned the incident. Saturday’s explosions were in an area that has faced attacks by Daesh militants over the years.
Read about the threats to the young generation in Afghanistan.
On the other hand, President Ashraf Ghani blamed the Taliban for the blast. He said in a statement, “This savage group [Taliban] does not have the power to confront security forces on the battlefield, and instead targets with brutality and barbarism public facilities and the girls’ school,”.
Moreover, Najiba Arian, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education, said “At the Sayed-ul-Shuhada high school, there are three shifts. The second shift is for female students. The wounded were mostly female students”.
Washington announced plans to pull out all US troops by September 11, as a result, Kabul is on alert. According to the peace agreement between the US and the Taliban, the US had to pull out all of the troops by May.
The attack is a despicable act of terrorism
Meanwhile, The European Union delegation in Afghanistan condemned and called the attack a “despicable act of terrorism”. In a tweet, they wrote “Targeting primarily students in a girls’ school, makes this an attack on the future of Afghanistan. On young people determined to improve their country,”.
The horrendous attack in Dasht-i Barchi area in Kabul, is an despicable act of terrorism. Targeting primarily students in a girls’ school makes this an attack on the future of Afghanistan. On young people determined to improve their country. Our thoughts go to all affected.
— EUinAfghanistan (@EUinAfghanistan) May 8, 2021
In addition, Pakistan strongly condemned the attack. In a statement, the Foreign Office said, “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations. At this moment of grief, Pakistan stands with the Afghan people in their struggle against the scourge of terrorism, moreover, Pakistan will continue to support Afghanistan on its path to peace, progress, and prosperity,”
Also, read Imran Khan’s statement to Afghanistan.
Currently a student of Economics and Data Science, ITU Lahore.