Kabul Attack: Gunmen Storm Military Hospital Dressed As Doctors
At least four people, including two civilians, have been killed.
Armed men disguised as doctors attacked a military hospital near the US embassy in Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing at least four people and injuring up to 15 others, in what some officials are labelling a "terrorist attack".
The attack was sparked by an individual suicide bomber who blew himself up behind the Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan hospital before three other gunmen armed with automatic weapons and grenades entered the building and battled with security forces, according to a security official.
The hospital has a capacity of up to 400 patients.
Local officials also said the attackers, who were dressed as medical personnel, were able to take control of the upper floors of the hospital before special forces were called to the scene to block the surrounding area.
UPDATE: causalities feared as terrorists attack military hospital in #Kabul @ https://t.co/JzJpkKymNd
— Lowlands Solutions (@LowlandsSN) March 8, 2017
#Kabul - Majority of those wounded in the attack are staffers of the hospital, the Public Health Ministry said.
— Mirwais Hotak (@mirwaishotakafg) March 8, 2017
Defence ministry spokesperson Dawlat Waziri said one attacker and one Afghan soldier were killed in the battle in the hospital while three other special forces officers were wounded.
The Afghan public health ministry also confirmed that two civilians had died and up to 12 more were injured before being transported to other hospitals.
The exact number of individual casualties and wounded is not yet known.
During a speech for International Women's Day, President Ashraf Ghani said: "There is an ongoing terrorist attack in a hospital which tramples all human values.
"In all religions, a hospital is regarded as an immune site and attacking it is attacking the whole of Afghanistan."
Today's #terrorist attack against hospital in #Kabul yet again underlines their total disrespect for humanity. Thoughts with patients&staff.
— NL Ambassador Kabul (@leeuwengew) March 8, 2017
Another bloody attack on civilians and #hospital in #Kabul. These cowards can only destroy have no capacity to create, contribute, develop
— Dr_Dick_Byrne 🌍 (@Dr_RJByrne) March 8, 2017
It is not yet clear who is behind the attack. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack by the Taliban or any other groups.
MORE: afghanistan crime hospital kabul military taliban terrorist attacks terrorists violence world
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