Three days after the Saturday attack, witnesses said bombs hit the school shortly after classes began. Iranian news agency IRNA reported that 160 schoolgirls were killed and 60 wounded, though other estimates have also circulated.
Video shared in media showed mourners gathered around trucks carrying the bodies of the dead girls. Relatives carried photographs of the victims and Iranian flags in a procession, the reports said.
The incident was condemned by UNESCO and girls’ education advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, according to the report, which said an investigation was needed because a deliberate attack on an educational institution or other civilian structure is a war crime under international humanitarian law.
The United States has said it did not take part in the attack. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters: “The Department of War would investigate if it were our attack, and I would refer your question to them.” He added: “The United States would not deliberately attack a school.”
The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not respond to requests for comment, the report said, while noting that over the weekend Central Command said it was examining reports of “civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations.”
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio