Kathmandu— Several people were reportedly injured after an explosion near a school in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday afternoon. The blast occurred around 4:30pm local time (12:00pm GMT) at the “Shama-e Hidayat” private school and educational institution in the Mahdia area, with initial reports indicating that students were among those injured. The cause of the explosion and the full extent of casualties remain unconfirmed as government officials have yet to comment.

Initial Reports and Casualties

Reports indicate several students from the “Shama-e Hidayat” school sustained injuries in the blast, with eyewitnesses stating that multiple individuals were transported to Alami Hospital. The exact number of injured and whether any fatalities occurred is currently unknown. News outlets like Hasht-e Subh Daily reported on the transfer of students to the hospital, but verification remains pending.

Unconfirmed Cause and Timing

While Kabul Now and TOLOnews have suggested a hand grenade may be responsible for the explosion, these reports remain unverified by Al Jazeera or official sources. The blast reportedly occurred near the end of the school day, leading to speculation that children comprised the majority of those affected. Footage circulating online shows crowds gathering around ambulances at the scene.

Targeted Community and Potential Perpetrators

The Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood is predominantly inhabited by Afghanistan’s Hazara minority group, a community previously targeted by Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISIS-K). ISIS-K, affiliated with ISIL, has historically carried out attacks against religious minorities in Afghanistan, including bombings of mosques, schools, and workplaces. The Taliban government has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

Authorities have yet to comment on the explosion or provide details about casualties or the cause of the blast. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.