-19 dead, 22 injured in six-hour-long gun battle
-Taliban deny involvement | Pakistan condemns attack
From John Nelson
KABUL: As many as 19 people were killed and 22 injured here on Monday when Indian Intelligence agency RAW’s local pawns attacked Kabul University in a rather trade mark style that RAW generated militants have been following for years during armed assaults across Pakistan. The six-hour-long clash between Afghanistan security forces and armed assailants at Kabul University came to an end, Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said.
The operation is being dubbed as India’s ongoing sabotage activities to disrupt Pakistan-backed Peace process in Afghanistan, by security and defense analysts. The Afghan Interior Ministry said that three people were involved in the attack, among them, two were killed during an exchange of fire, while one of them was a suicide bomber.
“The enemies of Afghanistan peace process, the enemies of education, attacked Kabul University,” Tariq Arian, a spokesperson for the ministry of interior, told reporters. “The security forces were in the area trying to control the situation.
Earlier, Masooma Jafari, deputy spokeswoman for the health ministry, had warned that four people had been taken to hospital, but casualties could increase.
Students of the Kabul University escaped a compound, with many climbing the boundary walls, after at least three assailants stormed the varsity, citing sources, with the attack coming as several senior government officials were expected to attend the opening of an Iranian book fair.
Authorities reached the attack scene and had cordoned off the area and blocked all roads towards the university.
The Taliban said they were not involved but several education centres have been attacked over the years by extremist groups such as Daesh.
The students who witnessed the attack spoke of chaos and confusion as gunfire erupted. “We were studying inside our classrooms when suddenly we heard a burst of gunfire inside the university,” said Fraidoon Ahmadi, 23.
A member of Afghanistan’s Parliament, Mariam Sulaimankhel, shared a video from the scene, terming the incident “a disgusting terrorist attack” and asking why the attackers “want to discourage the younger generation from educating themselves?”
Agencies Add: Three suicide bombers detonated their explosives-loaded vehicles targeting the base in Khost, the city’s police chief Ghulam Daud Tarakhil said, before other assailants tried to storm the compound.
A fierce firefight that lasted for almost nine hours between the militants and security forces ended with the killing of seven other militants, Tarakhil said.
Violence has raged across Afghanistan in recent weeks even as the Taliban and Afghan government remain engaged in peace talks to end the country’s long-running conflict.
Pakistan strongly condemns the mindless attack at Kabul University, resulting in loss of so many precious lives and injuries to many more. This act of terrorism is particularly despicable as it targeted an institution of learning.
We extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish speedy recovery to the wounded. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Afghan people in this hour of grief and sorrow.
Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and will continue to support a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
