19 killed in suicide bombing at Afghanistan education centre

At least 19 people have been killed and 27 injured in a suicide bomb blast in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed police spokesman, confirmed the number of casualties.

According to Washington Post, Zadran said the blast took place on Friday at the Kaaj education centre in the Dashti Barchi area where male and female students had been writing a practice university exam.

The area is said to be a predominantly Hazara neighbourhood — a minority Shiite group which has faced persecution from both the Islamic State group (IS) and the Taliban, who both practice Sunni Islam.

Videos shared on social media from the site of the attack show destroyed chairs and rubble in the damaged classrooms.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a tweet, condemned the attack, describing it as “horrific”.

“This heinous act claimed the lives of dozens of adolescent girls and boys and severely injured many more,” UNICEF wrote.

“Violence in or around education establishments is never acceptable. Such places must be havens of peace where children can learn, be with friends, and feel safe as they build skills for their futures.”

Also, in a Twitter post, Karen Decker, charge d’affaires at the US mission to Afghanistan, said “targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace and without fear”.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In August, an unspecified number of people were killed following an explosion in a mosque in Kabul during evening prayers.