Afghanistan: Three bomb blasts at Kabul boys' school; 6 killed
What's the story
Three bomb blasts at a boys' school in Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul, on Tuesday killed six people, including students, and injured many. The attack took place in Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi, a Hazara Shia-dominated neighborhood. A spokesperson for the Kabul Police, Khalid Zadran, said in a tweet that the explosions at Abdul Rahim Shahid High School in western Kabul "caused casualties among our Shiite brothers."
Context
Why does this story matter?
The attack comes months after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Despite the Taliban's claim that they have secured the country since taking over, experts have been warning about the possibility of a resurgence of violence in the region. The threat, especially from the Islamic State still exists which has claimed responsibility for several attacks in the past.
Bomb blasts
No outfit has claimed responsibility so far
According to reports, the explosions took place when the school's students were leaving their classes. The first blast reportedly occurred at the nearby Mumtaz Tuition Center and was followed by two more explosions close to the school. Moreover, Zadran said the attackers targeted the school using improvised explosive devices. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Details
At least 14 injured in the attack, claims hospital official
"Three different explosions at Abdul Rahim Shahid High School in [Kabul's] 18th district have caused casualties to our Shia compatriots and we will share the details later," Zadran tweeted. Reports said while six people were killed, 11 were injured in the attack. However, the head of a Kabul hospital's nursing unit claimed that at least 14 people were injured in the Tuesday blasts.
Suicide bomber?
Suicide bomb attack cannot be ruled out
According to reports, witnesses said it is quite possible that a suicide bomber detonated himself inside the compound of the school, which can accommodate up to 1,000 students. It is still, however, unclear how many students were present at the time of the blast. Meanwhile, blood-stained walls and burned books and shoes were reportedly discovered inside the school by an Associated Press video journalist.
Information
Blasts targeted the Hazara minority community
As mentioned before, the targeted school is located in western Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi area, which is primarily populated by the Hazara community, a religious and ethnic minority group. Earlier, this community has been targeted several times by Sunni militant outfits, including the Islamic State.