Latest News
Death toll from Kabul school bombing rises to 85
The office of Afghanistan’s Second Vice President Sarwar Danish confirmed on Monday that the death toll in the deadly school bombing on Saturday has risen to 85.
Speaking to Ariana News, an official from Danish’s office said 85 people had died and over 150 were wounded.
The deadly bombing targeted a girls high school in Dasht-e-Barchi area in Kabul late Saturday afternoon – a move that sparked an outcry around the world.
Three back-to-back explosions happened. The first was a car bomb that was detonated close to the school. As students and civilians in the area were fleeing the scene of the blast, two IEDs were then detonated.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack while the Taliban issued a statement rejecting any responsibility.
On Sunday, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) said in a statement that the Afghan government has to grant special protection to Hazaras and the community in Dasht-e-Barchi.
The AIHRC said it was government’s duty to protect the Hazara community against crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing or genocide.
“The Afghan government has an obligation under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law to protect the population at risk of war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing or genocide and international law obliges the government to take measures to end and prevent genocide and war crimes, crimes against humanity and persecution on the basis of ethnicity and gender,” the statement read.
“In October 2020, just over six months ago, more than 40 students died in an attack on Kawsar Danish tutoring center. In May 2020, almost a year ago 11 mothers were murdered with their unborn babies, two boys were, and an Afghan midwife was killed, with 5 mothers injured; this is femicide and infanticide,” the statement highlighted.
The AIHRC stressed that the Afghan government should fulfill its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights “which includes acknowledging massacres targeting Hazaras.”
“The Afghan government should communicate immediately a human rights-based protection plan for Dasht-e-Barchi and West Kabul. This should include plans for collective reparations,” the organization said.
Afghan scholars have described the “martyrdom” of Maulana Muhammad Idris, a prominent Pakistani religious scholar, as a major loss and have extended their condolences over his death to all scholars worldwide, particularly to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan.
In a condolence message, Afghan scholars stated: “Killing scholars is a grave injustice that brings the wrath and anger of Almighty Allah and is considered an unforgivable crime. We, the scholars of Afghanistan, strongly condemn such actions.”
They also urged the government of Pakistan to take serious measures to prevent the targeting of religious scholars.
Maulana Muhammad Idris was killed on Tuesday in an armed attack in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The Islamic Emirate’s High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Problems has called on international organizations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to engage with Pakistan to prevent difficulties for Afghan nationals, ensure they are not subjected to harassment, and facilitate their swift return.
The commission said the issues should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
According to the commission, Afghan returnees entering the country through the Torkham crossing are often held up for days on the Pakistani side for various reasons. It added that women, children, and elderly people are among those affected, many of whom are facing multiple hardships while waiting along roads in uncertain conditions.
“Our request is that Afghan migrants should not be left waiting on the other side of the border,” the commission said.
“We have the necessary capacity to receive and resettle returnees. Regardless of the number arriving each day, we are able to manage them and provide the required services.”
Latest News
Afghan activist Matiullah Wesa awarded France’s Freedom Prize 2026
Wesa is the founder of the Pen Path initiative and is widely known for campaigning in support of access to education, particularly for girls in Afghanistan.
Afghan education advocate Matiullah Wesa has been named the recipient of France’s Freedom Prize 2026, in recognition of his efforts to promote education and children’s rights in Afghanistan.
According to French media reports, Wesa was selected through an online vote involving 18,708 young people from 75 countries, highlighting strong international support for his advocacy work.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 4 in the city of Caen at the Zénith hall, where more than 4,000 young participants are expected to attend alongside several World War II veterans.
Wesa is the founder of the Pen Path initiative and is widely known for campaigning in support of access to education, particularly for girls in Afghanistan.
The Freedom Prize, established in 2019 by the Normandy Region and the International Institute for Human Rights and Peace, honours individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the defense of human freedoms.
Tahawol: Diplomatic turn in Iran–US confrontation discussed
Saar: Expanding interaction between countries and IEA discussed
Afghan scholars say death of Maulana Muhammad Idris ‘major loss’
Islamic Emirate urges UN, aid agencies to engage Pakistan on returnee issues
Uzbekistan launches new cargo corridor linking China and Afghanistan
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Etihad Airways to expand Kabul–Abu Dhabi flights to daily service amid surging demand
Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan sign $400 million trade deals in push to deepen ties
Afghanistan moves toward self-sufficiency in car battery production
Tahawol: Diplomatic turn in Iran–US confrontation discussed
Saar: Expanding interaction between countries and IEA discussed
Tahawol: Deportation of Afghan refugees from Germany discussed
Saar: Criticism over Pakistan’s policies discussed
Tahawol: Pakistan’s dual policy on Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoGermany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
-
Regional5 days agoIranian proposal rejected by Trump would open strait before nuclear talks, Iran official says
-
World4 days agoTrump says US could restart Iran strikes ‘if they misbehave’
-
Regional3 days agoIran says it has received US response to its latest offer for talks
-
Business4 days agoAfghan economic commission approves 12 major development projects across key sectors
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan set for Maldives four-nation tournament
-
World5 days agoTrump says he’s dissatisfied with Iranian proposal as rift with allies deepens
-
Latest News4 days agoUN warns funding cuts are slowing mine clearance efforts in Afghanistan