Attack in Afghanistan: 19 dead in explosion at educational facility in Kabul

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Pictures of the last attack in Kabul

Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

A massive explosion shook the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday.

The detonation happened in the morning local time, reported the Afghan news channel Tolo.

According to police, 19 people were killed.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said 27 people were injured in the attack.

He said the attack took place in an educational institute where an entrance exam was taking place.

Schools in Afghanistan are usually closed on Fridays.

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"The attack on civilian targets demonstrates the enemy's inhuman cruelty and lack of moral standards," he said, without saying who was behind the attack.

An eyewitness told the German Press Agency that ambulances would take away the dead and injured.

According to local media reports, the explosion happened in an educational facility in the district of Dashte Barchit, which is mostly populated by the Shia Hazara.

In the past, the ethnic minority had been the target of attacks by the militant group "Islamic State".

Since seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have insisted they want to secure the country after decades of war, but there have been a spate of attacks on mosques and civilian areas in recent months.

Recently, seven people died in an attack near a mosque in Kabul and numerous others were injured.

mfh/dpa/Reuters