Islamist attack on the Hazaras manifestation. Dozens killed – Polish Radio

Earlier, the Afghan Taliban denied that they had anything to do with the attack.

 

“Two militant Islamic State zdetonowało in Kabul explosives in a place where they gathered the Shiites” – wrote linked jihadists agency Amaq in a short statement published on the internet.

 

The coup came when a few thousand people demonstrated, demanding changes in the route of the planned power line between Turkmenistan and Kabul so that it passes through the two provinces in which many lives especially Hazaras. The government says that it would be too costly and that too much delay the implementation of the entire project.

 
 
 

The Hazara are a people of Mongolian origin; They are Shiites. This minority of, according to various sources, from 9 to 15 percent. 30-million population of Afghanistan and is considered the poorest ethnic group in the country. Hazara regularly complain of discrimination.

 

In November last year, thousands of Hazaras protested in Kabul against the passivity of the authorities towards the repeated attacks on members of minorities.

 

“So far, the bomb did not explode in a large mass of ordinary people”

 

– Today’s attack in Kabul different from those with which so far had to deal – says Björn Lindh from the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan.

 

The Swedish expert highlights in an interview with the Swedish Public Radio, that so far attacked more buildings and public services. – “The attacks were aimed so far in public buildings, police, military or foreign institutions. Of course, in such cases, there were also many random victims … but so far no bombs exploded in a large mass of ordinary people, nor attacks in Kabul is not directed against specific groups ethnic. “

 

Björn Lindh also noted that the fact that the bombing confessed Islamic State, is also a new aspect, because the activity of ISIS was not noticeable in Afghanistan. “During my more than 2-year stay in Afghanistan, I have not seen anything like this. You can tell that this small group of activists Islamic State, which operates in Afghanistan, is marginalized, and yet did not refer much success. If it turned out to be true, it would mean that the Islamists entered the stage of the conflict in this country as successive actors. “

 

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was deeply saddened by the attack that cost the lives of so many people. Among the dead are officers of the Afghan services. The wounded were taken to hospitals.

 

IAR / PAP / agkm, kh