Kabul University attack- 20 students and professors killed several injured
Attacks on the education institutions in Afghanistan are on the rise in recent period
At least
20 people, including students and professors, got killed during the
gunfire that erupted at Kabul University in the Afghan capital on Monday afternoon. The
Afghanistan Police have surrounded the area, said authorities.
Students of
the Kabul University escaped a compound, with many climbing the boundary walls,
after at least three assailants stormed the varsity, the Afghan Tolo News said,
citing sources, with the attack coming as several senior government officials
were expected to attend the opening of an Iranian book fair.
According to
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian, the gunfire was still
on. "The enemies of Afghanistan, the enemies of education... have
entered Kabul University," said Arian while talking to reporters.
"The
security forces are in the area trying to control the situation. They are
advancing carefully to prevent any harm to the students," he added. Local
television stations such as Tolo and Ariana said the
Kabul University was hosting a joint Afghan-Iranian book fair when the incident
occurred.
Meanwhile, Ariana mentioned
Kabul University professor Zabiullah Haidari as saying that classes were
underway when the shooting began, adding varsity officials and security
personnel helped students evacuate the campus. Meanwhile, roads leading to the
campus have been blocked.
No group has
taken responsibility for the ongoing attack so far. Notably, the Taliban has
issued a statement, denying their involvement.
In October
2020, the Islamic State (IS) had claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on
an educational centre in Kabul's Shi'ite dominated Neighbourhood of
Dasht-e-Barchi in which at least 24 people, mostly students, were
killed.
Students of
the Kabul University escaped a compound, with many climbing the boundary walls,
after at least three assailants stormed the varsity, the Afghan Tolo News said,
citing sources, with the attack coming as several senior government officials
were expected to attend the opening of an Iranian book fair.
Authorities
have reached the attack scene, cordoning off the area and blocking all roads
towards the university.
"Some
university students have fled... it is chaotic and students are
terrified," he added, noting that he and several other students were
besieged for more than two hours before being rescued.
A member of
Afghanistan’s Parliament, Mariam Sulaimankhel, shared a video from the scene, the
incident terming it "a disgusting terrorist attack" and asking why
the attacks "want to discourage the younger generation from educating
themselves?"
Web Desk
Post a Comment