Afghan Student Killed in Sectarian Clash

An Afghan student was killed and eight others wounded in clashes between Sunnis and Shiites at Kabul University, a senior police officer said Saturday.

"It seems the clash between some Sunni and Shiite students erupted when Shiite students wanted to perform the Ashura mourning ceremony in a dormitory mosque," said Mohammad Zaher, head of Kabul's Criminal Investigation Department.

"One person was killed and eight were injured," he said, adding that the situation was now under control and an investigation underway.

Ashura is a religious ceremony marking the murder of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by the armies of the Caliph Yazid in 680.

Hussein is equally revered by Sunnis but hardliners oppose the public mourning of his martyrdom.

The ceremony, in which men beat their chests and self-flagellate their backs with sharp blades, has long been a magnet for sectarian attacks. Last year more than 80 people were killed when a bomber blew himself up in Kabul.

This year, beefed up security has so far prevented a repeat, but sporadic clashes have been reported in Kabul.