Grenade attack near school in Afghan capital wounds numerous children, authorities say
A hand grenade attack near a school in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of Kabul has left numerous children wounded. The area is primarily populated by the Hazara ethnic minority, a group that has been frequently targeted by extremist violence in Afghanistan.
Why it matters
The attack highlights the ongoing security risks for ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan and underscores the persistent threat of violence against educational institutions in the region.
A hand grenade attack near a school in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Monday (August 18, 2026) afternoon wounded multiple children, authorities said.
Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said late Monday (August 18) that “several children” had been wounded and said an investigation was underway. He did not provide further details.
Richard Bennett, the United Nations' special rapporteur for Afghanistan, on Tuesday (August 18) condemned “the heinous attack harming numerous children near a school” the previous day.
Afghan media said around 50 children were hurt in the blast, which occurred in a part of the capital populated mainly by the Hazara ethnic minority.
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