The blasts on Tuesday targeting educational institutions in western Kabul of Afghanistan have killed at least six students and injured more than twenty.
Some local news channels and twitter accounts reported that fatalities are at least twenty five. However, security departments said there were six fatalities. Whereas, witnesses believe that the number of casualties is higher.
Eyewitnesses told local media that first blast happened near Mumtaz Tuition Center and was followed by two back-to-back explosions close to Abdul Raheem Shaheed High School in the same area.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior confirmed the blasts near Abdul Raheem Shaheed High School, saying an investigation has started into the incident and details will be shared later.
The blasts in front of Abdul Rahim Shaheed High School happened while the students were leaving their classes, eyewitnesses told media.
The blast targeted educational institutions and many of the casualties were young students, reports said.
Former president Hamid Karzai condemned the blast, calling it a crime against humanity and an act by the enemies of peace in Afghanistan and an act against education in the country.
“It was a mine placed in advance. The students were wounded by the first blast and then the people gathered while the second blast happened,” the head of the district police said.
US Chargé d’Affaires Ian McCary issued a statement deploring the “horrific” attacks, saying that Afghans should be able to “pursue their studies safely and without fear.”
Throughout decades of violence, the education institutions in Afghanistan have been targeted many times. However, this is the first attack on a school since the Taliban came to power.
The blasts targeting schools has triggered a massive outrage in the country.
Today’s attacks occurred a day after the protests by Afghan civilians against the Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan on April 16. Previously residents of Khost and Nangarhar provinces also held rallies to protest the attacks.