The incident took place when students were taking mock examination for university admissions

India strongly condemned the terror attack at the Kabul-based Kaaj Educational Centre in Dasht-e-Barchi in which at least 33 people were reportedly killed and 50 others injured.

The attack took place on Friday in the morning when students, mainly female, were taking a mock entrance examination for university admissions, said a report by Arab News.

“We are saddened by yesterday's terror attack at the Kaaj Educational Center and extend our condolences to the families of the victims,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in his tweet.

“India strongly condemns the continued targeting of innocent students at educational places,” the MEA Spokesperson added.

According to reports, the gunman had first shot a guard manning the educational centre and then entered a classroom and detonated himself.

As many as 500 girl students were inside the Kaaj Educational Centre when the incident took place.

As media reports, the death toll could be higher than the current figure as the area has been cordoned off, barring local residents from seeing the victims.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack that took place in the area which is largely inhabited by minority Hazaras who have often been targeted by militants.

This is the second major attack on girls’ institutions in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul since last year.

At least 85 people, mainly girl students were killed in a bomb attack on a girls’ school in Dasht-e-Barchi area in 2021.

Since Taliban took over power last August, it has been against girl education which has led to closure of most of the schools for girls.

The attack had been vehemently opposed by the international community members.

“The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the right to education for all Afghans and its contribution to the achievement of peace and security. They expressed grave concern about the significant implications of attacks against schools on the safety of students and their ability to enjoy their right to education,” a statement from the UNSC read.