Dozens injured, dead in attack on Afghan university

Students and teachers fled Kabul University as gunmen opened fire and threw hand grenades during a book fair on Monday. The attack in Afghanistan’s capital killed at least 22 people, mostly students, and injured at least 22 others. Afghan special forces killed the three assailants after an hourslong gun battle, Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said.

Who staged the attack? The Taliban, which is in peace talks with the country’s government, denied any involvement. Islamic State later claimed responsibility. Senior Afghan and Iranian officials were attending the book fair, but officials did not report any casualties among the dignitaries. Another attack on Oct. 24 targeted a tutoring center in a majority Shiite neighborhood, killing at least 24 students and injuring more than 100 others.

Dig deeper: Read my report in World Tour on the ongoing peace talks.

Editor’s note: WORLD has updated this report since its initial posting