Afghanistan: At least 19 killed, 27 wounded after suicide bomber strikes Kabul education centre
Kabul, Sep 30: A suicide bomber struck an education centre in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital on Friday, killing 19 people and wounding 27, including teenagers who were taking university practice entry exams, a Taliban spokesman said.
The morning explosion at the centre took place in Kabul's Dashti Barchi neighbourhood, an area populated mostly by ethnic Hazaras, who belong to Afghanistan's minority Shiite community.
The Islamic State group has carried out repeated, horrific attacks on schools, hospitals and mosques in Dashti Barchi and other Shiite areas in recent years.
Around 300 recent high school graduates, boys and girls, had come to the Kaaj Higher Educational Centre at 6:30 am to take practice exams, said one survivor, 19-year-old Shafi Akbary.
The facility helps students prepare and study for the entrance exams, among other activities.
About an hour into the session, the blast went off.
"First, we heard the sounds of a few gunshots at the main gate. Everyone was worried and tried to run to a different direction," said Akbary, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone.
"Soon after that, a huge explosion occurred inside the centre."
Akbary, who was unharmed, said he saw dozens of bodies and wounded people scattered around him.
"I was so afraid and couldn't even move myself to help them. Later, other people ran inside and took us out," he added.
Akbary said he has attended classes at the centre the past six months.
Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman of the Kabul police who gave the casualty toll, said students were among the victims of the blast, but he did not specify how many.
He said education centres in the area will need to ask the Taliban for additional security when they host events with big gatherings like Friday's exam prep.
Police have arrested a suspect who may have links to the attack, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said later. He was unable to provide any updates on the casualties.
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FIR registered against Karnataka seer over his remarks on voting power to Muslims
Bengaluru (PTI): An FIR has been registered against Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math seer Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji for his remarks on voting power to Muslims, police said on Friday.
He made the statement during a protest meeting organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh here on Tuesday against notices issued by Karnataka's Waqf board.
Urging everyone to unite to protect farmers and their land, Swamiji said that a law should be brought in where Muslims community don't have the voting power.
Stating that it should be ensured there is no Waqf board, he said someone taking away someone else's land is not "Dharma".
"...everyone should fight against injustice being caused to farmers...it is said that the Waqf board can claim anyone's land. It is a big injustice...someone taking away someone else's land is not Dharma... So, everyone should fight to ensure that farmers' land remains with them," the seer had said.
However, on Wednesday, Swamiji expressed regret over his statement, calling it a "slip of tongue".
He said Muslims are also citizens of this country, and they too have voting rights like others.
Based on the complaint by a social worker, the FIR was registered against him on Wednesday at Upparpet police station here, police said.
"We have registered a case against him (Swamiji) under section 299 (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita," a senior police officer said.
