Afghan intelligence on Wednesday accused Pakistani spies of poisoning schoolgirls as authorities battle to halt a string of alleged attacks that have sown panic in parts of the north.
At least 15 suspects have been detained over mysterious illnesses, which usually include mass fainting episodes, that have struck scores of schoolgirls in Takhar province almost daily for the past two weeks.
"The regional spy agencies, namely ISI, are behind it. They are trying to sabotage the Shanghai Conference and the success of Afghan education," National Directorate of Security spokesman Lutfullah Mashal told reporters.
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency is widely reviled in Afghanistan, where it is accused of fomenting the Taliban insurgency due to its historic links to the Islamist Afghan militia that ruled from 1996 to 2001.
President Hamid Karzai called for an investigation and Mr Mashal said the intelligence service discovered a conspiracy by militants to try to scare families from sending their children to school.
"They want to create terror and fear among students, especially in the education sector and also in the health sector, which are two of the major achievements of the 10 years of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," said Mashal.
He said 15 people have been arrested in connection with the school poisonings. Those being held include 12 identified Taliban insurgents, a teacher and a school treasurer and his wife, he said.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied any involvement in the poisonings.
"The poisoning of innocent children is against Islamic law. The mujahedeen are not involved in the poisoning of schoolchildren. It is a crime," Mujahid said.
A teacher and three female students are among those arrested and all 15 have confessed to being involved in poisoning, Mashal said.
But the ISI dismissed the Afghan accusations as "absurd and senseless".
"This is an attempt to strain ties between the two countries. Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in our interest," a Pakistani intelligence official told AFP.
Afghan officials regularly accuse Taliban insurgents, who banned schooling for girls while in power from 1996 to 2001, of poisoning school wells or using "gas" or "toxic powder" against the girls.
None have died, however, and
no traces of poison have been found in blood samples, officials say.
Experts suggest that a phenomenon known as mass hysteria - against a background of conflict - could be responsible.
The Taliban has denied any involvement and said any culprits would be punished "according to the Islamic Law".
Pakistan and Taliban acused of poisoning Afghan schoolchildren - Telegraph
These guys are smoking some potent sh!t. - There should be a funny and stupid section for this type of news.
