Civilians killed in attack on Afghanistan madrassa

International Desk: An air attack by Afghan forces on a gathering religious school in a Taliban stronghold has caused multiple casualties, including civilians, Afghan officials and witnesses said.

Top Taliban commanders were gathered inside the madrassa where a graduation ceremony was under way for students at the time of the attack on Monday in the northeastern province of Kunduz, a security source told a news agency.

He said an unknown number of civilians were among the casualties that also included senior Taliban commanders who were "planning for the next spring operations".

"Several dead and at least 15 wounded", including children, were taken to the regional hospital in the provincial capital Kunduz, Naim Mangal, a doctor, told the news agency.

Relatives of the wounded told a photographer at the hospital that the attack happened during a graduation ceremony at the madrassa in Dashte Archi district, which is controlled by the Taliban.

"When the planes came at around 12:00 pm some kids screamed 'they will drop a bomb' but the elders said 'calm down, nothing is going to happen', but then in an instant bombs hit the mosque," Mohammad Ishaq said.

It was not clear if the madrassa was inside the mosque or was a separate building.

Source:  Agencies


risingbd/April 3, 2018/Mukul