Media reports say a suicide blast that occurred at an education institute in the Afghan capital of Kabul Friday (September 30) morning killed 19 people and wounded 27.
According to The Guardian, Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Kabul police chief, said the explosion happened inside the center in the Dashti Barchi neighborhood of Kabul.
Many of those living in the western area of the city where the blast occurred are Hazara, an ethnic minority targeted in past attacks launched by militants of the Islamic State (IS) terror group, among others.
Afghanistan International says the victims of the explosion are from the ethnic Hazara community of Afghanistan who are predominantly Shia and have been the victims of such attacks in the past years as well.
Police say no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack in which suicide bomber detonated explosives.
TOLOnews says the blast has faced widespread condemnations.
The blast was reportedly condemned by the Islamic Emirate, the United States, Norway, Iran, Afghan political leaders and foreign diplomatic missions.
The Islamic Emirate's spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid in a tweet condemned the attack and called it "great horror."
Former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Abdullah Abdullah, condemned the attack, saying those responsible for the blast are the enemies of peace and development in the country.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted it "condemns the outrage, extending its deep condolences to all those in mourning."
The U.S. Charge d’Affaires Karen Decker said on Twitter: “The U.S. strongly condemns today’s attack on the Kaaj Higher Educational Center. Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear.”
