By Chathushka Perera
Kabul, Afghanistan (CWBN)_ According to local authorities, 22 people were killed and 22 others were wounded in a terrorist attack, carried out by three gunmen, took place in the Kabul University, yesterday (2nd November) at 11am (local time), near its law faculty and legal training centre. Young students were among the majority of casualties of the attack.
Witnesses have claimed that up to five attackers were involved in the incident and that an explosive was detonated when the attack had begun
The ISIL has taken responsibility for the attack, saying that it was targeting “the graduation of judges and investigators working for the apostate Afghan Government”. The Taliban have condemned the attack, denying any involvement.
The UN Security Council maintains that the al-Qaeda are deeply embedded among Taliban insurgents despite the Taliban’s assurances to sever its connections with the terror group.
“We will take revenge for this senseless attack and for any drop of innocent students’ blood spilled today”, Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, stated in his response. The government has implemented a national day of mourning today and flags will be flown at half-mast.
Moreover, there have been several reports that the Taliban have been mining gold in the Raghistan district in Badakhshan Province, located toward the north-east of the country and neighbouring Kulob, Tajikistan, in an effort to fund its war efforts.
The mines in Badakhshan are one the largest mineral deposits in the country, which the Afghan Government attempted to mine via a company based in Turkey, in 2013, however, prevented from doing so due to the prevailing situation in the country.
Reports states that the Taliban are operating around 180 sites in the area and mining 230 USD worth of gold-sediment from each site per day, roughly amounting to a daily gain of 41,400 USD per day. Despite the fact, no action has been taken in this regard.
