Barbaric attack in Kabul- Mothers, children and nurses killed

Afghan people needs peace-development and jobs not wars and killings

The Afghan capital Kabul once again came under attack. This time a hospital was targeted. The four armed terrorist stormed the maternity hospital in Afghan capital Kabul and killed 16 people including two new born babies in a barbaric attack. The armed terrorist targeted the mothers and nurses in the hospital. The gunmen entered into hospital in military uniforms and started killing innocent people including new born babies.

No sane person or group belonging to any ideology or religion can attack a hospital and kill innocent people. The killing of women and new born babies in a hospital is terrorism of worst kind. It is barbarism in clear terms. This attack on doctors-health workers-mothers and new born babies is inhuman cruel act.

The reactionary hardline religious groups first attack  and kill the innocent men and women and even children and then claim to serve the Islamic cause. These reactionary forces are pursuing their reactionary agenda on the name of religion.  

In another attack on a funeral in Nangarhar province killed 24 people and injured nearly 60. Attaullah Khogyani, the spokesperson for the provincial governor, said a suicide bomber struck at the funeral of a former police commander in Khewa district. A number of high-ranking officials and politicians were present at the funeral and the official said the death toll is likely to rise further.

These attacks are a grim reminder that despite the troop’s withdrawal agreement between Taliban and US- the peace in Afghanistan is still a distant dream. There is no letup in violence that takes innocent lives. Afghanistan is looking for peace and stability and an end to the wars and violence since 1980s.  

The western powers supported the reactionary religious groups backed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia against Communist government in Kabul and Soviet troops that entered into Afghanistan to help the communist government. The Soviet troops left Afghanistan in late 1980s and communist regime fall in 1992.  But peace and normalcy never returned to Afghanistan.    There are many groups in Afghanistan who wants to continue the violent means to achieve their goals.

The attack began with explosions and gunfire near a maternity hospital in the Dasht-e-Barchi area in western Kabul on Tuesday morning, according to the eye witness accounts.  The Afghan security forces, including Special Forces, responded to the attack. The Ministry of Interior announced the attack was over with all attackers killed after five hours of fighting.

The maternity clinic runs by the French international humanitarian organization Doctors without Borders. The MSF runs maternity clinic inside the 100 bed hospital.  Attacking a hospital even during a war is considered as crime against humanity.

The Ministry of Interior said that at least 14 civilians were killed, including two newborn babies, and fifteen others were wounded in the clash. Soldiers ferried infants out of the compound, some wrapped in blood-stained blankets, and officials said 100 people were rescued, including three foreigners.

Afghan media outlet TOLO news has quoted security sources that there is a guest house behind the hospital and foreigners are staying there and the "attackers were trying to get inside the guest house through the hospital."

According to the eyewitnesses “the attackers were shooting at anyone in this hospital without any reason. It’s a government hospital, and a lot of people bring in their women and children for treatment.” Interior and health ministry officials said that mothers, nurses and children were among the dead and wounded.

The Dasht-e-Barchi area, where the hospital is located, is largely inhabited by the Shia Hazara community, which has been repeatedly targeted by Daesh. The Taliban have rejected involvement in both attacks, which come amid efforts to take forward the rejuvenated yet fragile Afghan peace process. The Afghan people continue to suffer due to violence and infighting. Afghan people need jobs, economic opportunities and development instead of bombs, bullets, wars and violence.

We stand with our Afghan brothers and sisters in this time of grief and sorrow. 

No group has accepted responsibility so far. But Afghan security officials are pointing fingers at both Taliban and Daesh.

                                                         The Editor