More than 52 people, most of them children, were injured in the explosion near a private school in western Kabul….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The international community and rights groups have condemned an explosion near the Sham-e Hedayat private school in Kabul that injured more than 52 people, most of them children, and called for an investigation into the incident.
The blast occurred on Monday in the Dasht-e Barchi area of western Kabul, a densely populated neighbourhood that has experienced repeated attacks in recent years, including violence targeting schools and other civilian and educational facilities.
The area is home to a large Hazara and Shia population and has faced persistent security threats. The latest incident has renewed concerns over the safety of children and civilians in the neighbourhood.
Taliban police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said the explosion was caused by a hand grenade, local media reported. He did not provide further details about who was carrying the grenade or how it detonated.
Amnesty International described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and called for a thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blast.
The rights organisation said any investigation should comply with international law and standards and that those found responsible should be held accountable through fair trials.
“Dasht-e-Barchi, a predominantly Hazara-populated area of Kabul, has endured more than a decade of repeated attacks on schools, mosques, public transport and healthcare facilities by various armed groups. The Taliban, as the de facto authorities, must ensure the protection of civilians including religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan,” Amnesty International said.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also expressed serious concern after several children were injured in the explosion, stressing that children must be protected from violence and harm.
“Our thoughts are with the injured children, their families and all those affected. Schools must be safe places #ForEveryChild. Children should never be a target and exposed to violence or harm,” UNICEF Afghanistan posted on X.
The European Union also condemned the incident and stressed that educational institutions must remain safe spaces for children.
“We are deeply concerned by an explosion near Sham-e-Hedayat School, Dasht-e-Barchi, injuring dozens of students. Swift recovery to the injured; sympathies to families & school community. Schools must be safe; deliberate attacks on children & education centers are unacceptable,” the EU in Afghanistan said in a post on X.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the children injured in the explosion at the education centre were aged between nine and 14.
UNAMA called for an investigation to establish what happened and reiterated the need to protect schools and education centres.
“Our thoughts are with the children injured and their families. We call for an investigation to establish the circumstances of this incident. Schools and education centres must be kept safe,” UNAMA said.
The incident has drawn particular attention because of the history of violence in Dasht-e Barchi, where civilians, including members of the Hazara community, have previously been targeted.
The latest explosion also highlights continuing concerns over security around educational institutions in Afghanistan, where children and teachers have faced risks from violence and attacks.
International organisations have repeatedly stressed that schools should remain protected spaces where children can learn without fear of violence.
With more than 50 people reportedly injured in Monday’s blast, calls are growing for authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion, identify those responsible and take steps to prevent similar incidents.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns over Afghanistan’s security situation, particularly in areas that have previously experienced attacks against civilians and minority communities.
