The European Union on Tuesday condemned the explosion near Shama-e-Hedayat private school in western Kabul, expressing deep concern over reports that dozens of students were injured and calling for schools and children to be protected in Afghanistan.
The EU said schools must remain safe places for children and described deliberate attacks against students and educational institutions as “unacceptable.”
The explosion occurred on Monday near Shama-e-Hedayat school in the Mahdiya township of Dasht-e-Barchi, a predominantly Hazara area of western Kabul. Local sources said nearly 50 students were injured in the blast, although the final number of casualties has not been independently established.
No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the blast may have been carried out by Islamic State or groups affiliated with it, adding that an investigation was under way and that Taliban security forces were working to identify and arrest those responsible.
Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, described the explosion near the school as “appalling” and called for a full and independent investigation aimed at bringing those responsible to justice.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of children and educational facilities in Dasht-e-Barchi, an area that has previously been targeted by militant attacks. The Hazara community, which is predominantly Shia Muslim, has repeatedly faced attacks claimed by Islamic State Khorasan Province, although responsibility for the latest blast remains unconfirmed.
Afghanistan has faced persistent security and humanitarian challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Attacks on schools and educational institutions have also contributed to an already difficult environment for children, while restrictions on girls’ education have further damaged access to schooling.
