I was still in the shock of the blast in Peshawar Madrassa. Hundreds of students got injured, and about eight were martyred in their Quran class. I burst into tears by watching the heart-rendering videos and photos of the attack; the innocent children of Madrassa drenched in blood and crying with pain. This incident took me back to 2014 when in the same city, one hundred and fifty school children were brutally killed. It is an unforgettable incident of history, and now we have one more.
On this Monday, while my class breaks at about noon, I came to know about the attack on Kabul University. Some attackers with arms entered university premises and started firing. They fired directly on students in compounds and reached classrooms. I felt lost and the past passed once again in front of my eyes.
Later on, upon searching the matter and going through the news, I came across some facts and figures. There was a book fair at the university which was attended by the ambassador of Iran. Secondly, the attack happened in the faculty of journalism and law. Thirdly, on Monday evening, ISIS took the responsibility for the incident. According to them, it was to target the backstabber judges of the Afghan Government.
The Reaction of Hostages during Attack
In this dreadful state of terror and fear, students tried to save their lives. Those who were in the compounds of the university, directly facing the attackers, seemed shocked and confused about where to go to save their lives. They were screaming, running away to find a place to hide.
The news of the attack spread like a fire in the forest. It is a university in which 2200 regular students were studying, a place where hopes of 2200 families come to bore fruit of their parents’ efforts, a place where the young blood enters to make his dreams true. It is not a place to spill their blood at any cost; whether the matter is political or for the state.
One of the students of the university from the faculty of law, Qaseem Kohestani, wrote on his Facebook: “We were helpless. Some of my friends and fellows were martyred in front of my eyes and I was taken hostage by the attackers.”
The Reaction to News
As the news of the attack reached to parents of the hostages; they became anxious and worried about the safety of their youngsters. Parents of the students started calling their children, but students out of distress and turmoil around them weren’t able to receive their calls. Some of the students attended the calls but couldn’t speak or inform their parents of their safety. Parents of native students rushed towards the university.
An old father of one of the students was pathetically crying outside the university waiting for his son; when the students were still inside the university. He briefed the media that he called his son about an hour ago to inquire about his safety. His son was in extreme despair and said, “Pray for me. We are not safe. They will kill us,” and hung up the call.
In contrast to that, the stories of the students from the other cities in the university are wholly different and heart-touching. I saw a post on social media; A martyred girl from another city living in a hostel: after the attack, her mobile had 247 missed calls. The last message on her phone was from her father written in Pashtoon that means “WHERE ARE YOU? FATHER’S LIFE!!” This one made me cry.
World’s Reaction to the Attack
All democratic and political powers around the world condemned the attack on the university. Afghanistan declared the 3rd of November, as the black day. It opened a Book of Condolences for signing at the Embassy of Afghanistan on Tuesday. Similarly, Iran lighted up Azadi Tower to express its sympathy for the martyrs of Kabul University. This statement read through the tower “WHERE ARE YOU? FATHER’S LIFE!!”
Casualties
Reports declare more than thirty-five people killed and about fifty injured in the cold-blooded attack on the spot. Later, the demises reported were above fifty, the majority of the victims being students. On the other hand, a few members of faculty and administration had also been injured or become martyred. A national newspaper of Afghanistan described the incident as “losing its talented youth.” Because according to reports, the victims of the attack were among the top performers in the university.
Conclusion
To sum up the severity of this attack on an educational institute, firstly its whole responsibility falls on the weak security system of Kabul. This is because it is the capital of the country, and for the second time the Univesity of Kabul has been attacked. Previously, there was a blast in 2019, and 8 persons lost their lives. Secondly, whoever is responsible for the attack, ISIS, or the Taliban, it is inhumane to attack universities or educational institutes. Because the futures of hundreds of families are nurturing there for a better tomorrow.
