Thread by @bsarwary

#AFG Brutal attack against one of Afghanistan’s most oppressed communities. Dashte Barche in West Kabul have been constantly the target of deadly ISKP attacks. Hazaras and Shias murdered inside their classrooms. #NOTJUSTNUMBERSLIVES

A doctor in Watan hospital confirms, a number of dead bodies inside the hospital.

Kaaj higher educational center is located less than 200 meters from Police station 13.

A community leader in Dashte Barche area tells me, “ I have counted 24 bodies. Most of the victims are young students, their parents wanted a better future for them.”

A community leader in Dashte Barche area tells me “ Taliban have failed to provide security for our people over the last year. After the attack, ambulances arrived very late. People tried to transport wounded.”

Afghanistan the land of constant heartbreaks.

Each of those killed was more than a figure, they were a daughter, a son. They had a face. #notjustnumberslives

Victims are from Daykundi, Bamian, GHAZNI, Ghor, Behsood district in Maidan Wardak and west Kabul, all are members of the Shia and Hazara communities.

“Girls and boys were studying inside a huge classroom, they were separated by a mandatory curtain Taliban had imposed. Girls are among the victims. The class was packed.” A member of the Kaaj Higher Educational center tells me.

Ambulances 🚑 have taken wounded to at least 4 hospitals in the area. A doctor at the Ali Jinnah hospital confirmed to me, “ We can’t take more wounded at this time. We are appealing for blood donations.”

A member of the management at Kaaj higher educational center confirms to me : “ class was hosting more than 400 students - both girls and boys.”

Each number on those chairs represented one human being. Each number, and their families, had dreams to come here and take the university preparation entrance examination. Those dreams are dashed with fatal consequences for them, the families, communities , and the country.

“We have so far counted 100 dead bodies of our students. The number of students killed is much higher. Classroom was packed. This was a mock university entrance exam, so students could prepare for the real one.” A member of the Kaaj higher education center tells me.

“I picked up human body parts. I picked up hands and legs. That was all left from my former students.” One of the instructors at Kaaaj higher education center tells me.

The mock university entrance exam was announced by Kaaj in the following locations in Kabul but also provinces.

“We have been warned by the Taliban security officials not to speak, or provide information to the media about security incidents. We have also been warned not to allow media to film inside hospital.” One of the owners of a private hospital in West Kabul tells me.

The never ending tragedy for Afghanistan’s Shia and Hazara communities :

This eyewitness, who is also a student at the centre & was present at the scene, shared with @kabulnews (reproduced by @Etilaatroz) shocking details of the attack. The class had capacity for 700 students but 400 students were inside the class at the time of the attack. :

The class had 3 doors, attacker entered via door designated for girls.

The frontline is everywhere for Afghanistan’s Shia and Hazara communities :

#NOTJUSTNUMBERSLIVES :

This photo widely shared on social media doesn’t belong to the attack against Kaaj. According to :

Taliban turned away women who went to the hospital to donate bloood to the victims of today’s attack. Taliban told them they are not accepting blood donation from woman. The women are baffled and ask what is wrong with their blood that they are turned away. :

To cover up their failure in protecting the civilians, Taliban have resorted to lying and hiding about the casualties after every attack. Local community leaders reports numbers double the figures Taliban shared with the media :