School building destroyed in ISAF airstrike

December 14, 2010

PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): Two civilians were wounded and a school building damaged during an airstrike by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in northern Baghlan province, residents said on Tuesday.

Foreign forces bombarded the school and three civilian houses during an operation in the Joi Naw area of Pul-i-Khumri late Monday night, Ahmadzai School Administrator Malem Akbar told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Two abandoned houses were also completely destroyed in the airstrike, he said, adding, the number of civilian causalities was not clear because the area was cordoned off by Afghan security forces.

The school's classrooms, books and laboratory were completely destroyed. Headmaster Abdullah said 1,900 students were enrolled in the school.

Resident Muhammad Younus said a woman and a child were injured in one house. He gave no further details of the overnight raid.

Yousaf, who live in the area, said: "Last night foreign forces conducted an air raid on the Taliban, destroying the Ahmadzai School."

Security officials confirmed the incident, with 303rd Pamir Zone police spokesman, Lal Muhammad Ahmadzai, promising they would brief journalists on the causalities and damage.

Meanwhile, the NATO-led force confirmed striking Taliban positions in the Joi Naw area. There is no report on the destruction of the school, an ISAF statement said, adding a building the Taliban were firing from was targeted.

am/mud