The Silk Way Weekly: In continuation of terrorist attacks targeting Hazara Shiite Muslims in West of Kabul, a number of athletes were killed and injured in a suicide attack on 27 October, at Nation sports club.
As the government has always announce the casualties of terrorist attacks on Hazaras, different numbers were announced by the government, media and the people.
One day after the attack, Police spokesperson Khalid Zadran, wrote on his X page in the attack on the Mellat Boxing Club, 4 people were killed and 7 were injured; but media citing the eyewitnesses and the hospitals announced the casualties were far more than 11 people.
Deutsche Welle reported, quoting witnesses of the attack on Mellat Boxing Club 8 people were killed and a number of the athletes were injured. At the same time, Meanwhile, the Fars News Agency of the Afghanistan section reported the number of dead and 11 injured in this attack.
Citing the statistics of hospitals in west of Kabul, this news agency wrote on its website: “Only four dead and two wounded have been transferred to Mohammad Ali Jinnah Hospital. In the same way, Alimi and Amiri private hospitals in the west of Kabul have reported receiving two dead and nine wounded.”
Etillatroz wrote the blast occurred in the sports club when the athletes were exercising. “Between 50 t0 70 athletes exercised in the night shift of the club. It was located in four floors building, and three flours of the building have been damaged.” It wrote.
Rahim Afzali, trainer of Mellat boxing club who was injured in the attack told the Silk Way Weekly, he has been for one week in the hospitals for his treatment. “I am now discharged from the hospital but have not recovered fully. The wounds have healed; But the burns on my leg have not healed yet and I can’t walk.” Afzali said.
According to the findings of the Silk Way Weekly, six people were killed and 11 injured in the attack. Four people, including Afzali and his brother were in critical situation after the attack. Naiem, one of the athletes, has been in a state of anesthesia for one week at Mohammad Ali Jinnah hospital. Naiem’s health is not in a good condition yet. According to the local sources, one month before the attack, the attackers had threatened all sports clubs in the west of Kabul.
ISIS accepted the responsibility of the attack in Mellat boxing club. Daesh (also known as ISIL or ISIS) terror group released a message through its Amaq website and took responsibility for the attack on Novemebr 26. It said 35 people were killed in the attack.
The recent terrorist attacks against Afghan Shiites, especially the two attacks on the Mellat Sports Club and the coaster-type passenger car in the west of Kabul, have caused many reactions, including international reactions.
Following Tuesday evening’s explosion in Kabul, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, expressed his deep concern regarding this attack and wrote on his X page: I have received horrific reports of killing and injuring several people in the third blast targeting Hazaras in less than one month. Bennett emphasized the imperative need for “a full and transparent investigation” into the incident, underscoring the importance of identifying and holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Karen Decker, the US Charge D’Affiars to Afghanistan in a message on her X page said empathizing with the victims at Mellat sports club, accessing to justice is difficult for the terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. Afghan people deserve justice and security and we do not allow the terrorists to misuse.
US Department of State in a report on 1 December 2023, said the ISKP was active in Afghanistan. In the report that the activities of the terrorist groups around world in 2023 has been evaluated, it said ISKP conducted terrorist attacks in Afghanistan including targeting Shiites of Afghanistan. UNAMA also expressed its concerns over attacks, ” The last month in #Afghanistan has seen increased violence against Shia Hazara community, in Kabul, Baghlan and most recently in Herat.” And called for investigations, accountability for perpetrators, and increased protection for those at risk.
Protection of those at risk, is mentioned by UNAM in a situation that the Taliban group takes no concrete actions to stop terrorist attacks against Hazaras Shiites and even after the terrorist attack treatment facilities are denied from the victims.
In the wake increased attacks and threats in west of Kabul, the normal process of the daily activities of the residents of this part of Kabul, especially the stadiums, have been disrupted and the athletes have faced increasing challenges and deep concerns about continuing to play sports. Mujtaba Mohebbi, an athlete of west Kabul says “No one feels secure now. Athletes play sports in fear. These attacks have negative impacts on the athletes. Such attacks cause the youth to give up heir dreams and sports.”
Over the lats month, two terrorist attacks happened in west of Kabul; one targeted the Mellat sports club and another targeted a coaster type car killing and injuring tens of Hazara people.
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