Taliban destroy Bamiyan girls’ school; Nangarhar principal killed

BAMIYAN – Afghan Taliban militants October 11 bombed a girls’ high school in Bamiyan Province, RIA Novosti reported, quoting Pajhwok News.

The explosion happened in Gondak, Shirbar District, before pupils arrived, blowing out all the windows and doors, provincial Educational Department chief Muhammad Reza said.

About 350 girls won’t be able to attend school there now, he said.

Bamiyan has 350 schools with 135,000 pupils. More than half those schools lack buildings, forcing pupils to attend class in tents, he added.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen October 9 fatally shot Anwarul Haq Sahibzada, the principal of a high school in Khogiani District, Nangarhar Province, Pak Tribune reported October 10.

"Personal enmity" could have been the motive, Nangarhar provincial Education Department spokesman Asif Shinwari told the Afghan Islamic Press, according to Pak Tribune. No one has claimed responsibility.