Grenade Blast at Kabul School Injures Over 50 People

A hand grenade explosion at the Sham-e-Hedayat private school in western Kabul injured at least 52 people on Monday, August 17, 2026. The blast occurred around 5 p.m. local time in the school courtyard as students were being dismissed. While the United Nations reported at least 42 of the wounded were children aged 9 to 14, Afghan media and security sources cited a higher total of 52 casualties.

The Government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, through the Ministry of Interior and the Directorate of Mine Action Coordination, confirmed a grenade caused the blast and launched an investigation. Initial reports on the cause varied, with some sources claiming the grenade was thrown from a nearby alley and others suggesting it detonated while in a student's hand.

The attack took place in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood, a predominantly Shia Hazara area frequently targeted by the Islamic State group. Richard Bennett, the UN's independent investigator for Afghanistan, condemned the event as a "heinous attack" and demanded a full, independent probe to bring perpetrators to justice.

International organizations including UNICEF, Amnesty International, and the European Union have called for an impartial investigation. These groups emphasized that schools are protected under international law and urged the Taliban authorities to ensure the protection of ethnic and religious minorities.