August 17, 2018
Kabul: A young journalist from local Farhang News Agency is among at least 48 victims of deadly Kabul education center attack on Wednesday August 15, the News agency has confirmed.
The suicide attack, claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group, is the latest deadly assaults on the Afghan civilian in Kabul and has spurred an outpouring of grief among journalists, many of whom took to social media to post tributes to their colleague.
Kabul police said the suicide bomber walked into the building of “ Mowud”, an education center in Dasht- Barchi area of Kabul city while teaching was under way, detonated his bomb belt and killed at least 48 teenagers and injured dozens others studying for university entrance exams.
Among the victims of the suicide bombing were twins Ataullah Rahimi Wasi and Farzana. Ataullah 18, was hired as report for the Farhang News Agency five months ago, Fariba Mortazawi, editor in- chief of Farhang News Agency told AFJC
Ahmad Quraishi, executive director of Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) condemned the attack, saying in “this attack is a brazen assault and there was no justification whatsoever for targeting civilians, they must never be the target of violence at any time, under any circumstances."
"This is a devastating loss and I send my sincere condolences to Ataullah’s family and friends and the Farhang News Agency team.” Mr. Quraishi said.
This bloody attack comes less than a week after the Taliban launched a surprise deadly attack in the city of Ghazni, 148km south of Kabul. The Taliban killed dozens including Mohammad Dawood, a media technician for the state-run broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) and destroyed the antennas and burned down building housing of some private media outlets.