Several Afghan school girls poisoned in capital Kabul

Afghan education officials on Wednesday said at least 16 school girls were poisoned in capital Kabul city today.

A spokesman for the ministry of education of Afghanistan Amanullah Iman said the school girls who were poisoned were taken to hospital for treatment purposes.

Mr. Iman further added two school girls are still in the hospital while the remaining school girls have been discharged after receiving medical treatment.

The incident took place early Wednesday morning around 7:00 am in Um-ul-Benin high school at the 6th district of capital Kabul and the school girls were immediately taken to hospital.

In the meantime officials in Um-ul-Benin high school said the reason behind the poisoning of the school girls is unclear and the health officials are investigating the issue.

Afghan education ministry spokesman Amanullah Iman said such incidents have taken place in the past where insurgents were involved while in some other cases students were poisoned due to environmental toxicants.

Meanwhile a number of officials said a grave yard (cemetery) is located near the school and they are doubtful that the students were poisoned due to environmental reasons.

This comes as Afghan intelligence officials blamed Taliban group and said they are behind the poisoning of the school girls in various provinces of Afghanistan.

Source: Khaama Press