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Acid attack on Afghan schoolgirls Acid attack on Afghan schoolgirls
(40 minutes later)
Attackers in Afghanistan have sprayed acid in the faces of at least 15 girls near a school in Kandahar, police say.Attackers in Afghanistan have sprayed acid in the faces of at least 15 girls near a school in Kandahar, police say.
They say that the attack happened shortly before at least six people were killed in a bomb blast near a government building in the city.They say that the attack happened shortly before at least six people were killed in a bomb blast near a government building in the city.
Doctor say that the six girls were wearing Islamic burkas or veils which provided them with some protection. Doctors say that the six girls were wearing Islamic burkas or veils which provided them with some protection.
Correspondents say the attack is likely to have been carried out by those opposed to the education of women.Correspondents say the attack is likely to have been carried out by those opposed to the education of women.
The former Taleban government had banned girls from attending school. A spokesman for the Taleban denied involvement in the attack.
The former Taleban government - ousted from power in 2001 - banned girls from attending school.
'Not safe''Not safe'
The AFP news agency quoted education ministry spokesman Hamed Elmi as saying that the attack took place outside the Mirwais Nika Girls High School. "We were going to school on foot when two unknown people on a motorcycle came close to us and threw acid in our faces," 16-year-old Atifa told the BBC.
"At about 8am local time, unknown people sprayed acid at girls with a toy gun," he said. "I want to ask the government that why they cannot protect us, we girls want to study but the the government is not helping us. We want better security."
The girls said that the attack happened as they were on their way to school. She said that the attack took place on Wednesday morning outside the Mirwais Nika Girls High School.
"Two men on motorbikes stopped next to us. One of them threw acid on my sister's face. I tried to help her and then they threw acid on me too," AFP quoted 16-year-old Atefa as saying. Officials say that that two attackers used a toy gun to spray the acid and fled as soon as people came to the assistance of the girls.
"We were shouting and people came to see what was going on, then the two men escaped," she said. Atifa said she did not know why anyone would have attacked her and the others.
It was not immediately clear who carried out the attack. "I don't know why they did it," she said. "Kandahar is not safe. But we can't stay home, we want an education."
Atefa said she did not know why anyone would have attacked her and the others. The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says that the incident has shocked ordinary Afghans.
"I don't know why they did it," she said. "Kandahar is not safe. But we can't stay home, we want education. We need help from the government."
Nato-led forces in Afghanistan condemned the attack as cowardly.Nato-led forces in Afghanistan condemned the attack as cowardly.