Rocket hits school, six children killed

The government condemned the killing of the children as a despicable attack on the country8217;s youth and blamed 8220;enemies of Afghanistan8221;, a reference to the Taliban and their allies.

About 180 children were in the school when the rocket hit. Books and flesh littered the ground as distraught parents arrived hunting for their children. Wounded children and teachers were taken to a hospital run by the US military and the one in Asadabad. Ten people were discharged after treatment, while the others were more seriously hurt.

Taliban militants have attacked schools as part of their campaign against the government but it was not clear if the school hit on Monday was a target. Another rocket hit a police base some distance away, but no one was hurt.

In another incident a bomb also went off in Jalalabad, wounding five passers-by.