This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/357035-kabul-attack-american-university/

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Gunmen attack American University in Kabul, campus on lockdown Gunmen attack American University in Kabul, campus on lockdown
(35 minutes later)
Armed men have attacked the American University in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials have confirmed. Officials say "hundreds" of people, including foreign staff, are stuck inside, as government forces have encircled the campus. Armed men have attacked American University in the Afghan capital of Kabul, officials have confirmed, saying that “hundreds” of people, including foreign staff, are trapped inside, as government forces encircle the campus.
Local journalist Bilal Sarwary tweeted earlier that a police source had claimed at least seven people were dead and 20 injured, and that attacks were “ongoing.”
"Several gunmen attacked the American University in Kabul and there are reports of gunfire and explosions," an interior ministry official told Reuters. "They are inside the compound and there are foreign professors along with hundreds of students." “Several gunmen attacked the American University in Kabul and there are reports of gunfire and explosions,” an Interior Ministry official told Reuters. “They are inside the compound and there are foreign professors along with hundreds of students.”
"At the moment of the explosion I was at the university - it was during class time," Ali Altae, one of the students, told RT from his home, by phone. There have been multiple media reports claiming that the attackers were repelled from campus and have retreated to Noor hospital, which is located next door.
"They hit the front door, and through the hole that they made, they managed to get inside the campus. There were emergency exits, through which we managed to get out. But there are still people." The initial explosion was heard at about 7 pm local time on Wednesday night.
“At the moment of the explosion, I was at the university – it was during class time,” Ali Altae, one of the students, told RT by phone from his home.
“They hit the front door, and through the hole that they made, they managed to get inside the campus. There were emergency exits, through which we managed to get out. But there are still people.”
“Help we are stuck inside,” tweeted Massoud Hossaini, an AP photographer. “These may be my last tweets.”“Help we are stuck inside,” tweeted Massoud Hossaini, an AP photographer. “These may be my last tweets.”
"We're dealing with a complex attack inside the American University. Special forces are en route," a representative of Kabul's rapid reaction force told local journalist Bilal Sarwary. There is a heavy police presence around the district, which has been cordoned off, with armored vehicles and ambulances streaming in and out.
Photographs and video showed massed police forces stationed outside the gates.
Afghanistan’s 1TV news reported that there were “multiple” dead and wounded on campus. The channel also cited eyewitness reports claiming that some of the attackers may have entered Noor Hospital, located next door to the educational facility.
The American University of Afghanistan was established in 2006 with the help of US funds and remains the country’s leading private university. All classes are taught in English, and there are currently over 2,000 students enrolled.The American University of Afghanistan was established in 2006 with the help of US funds and remains the country’s leading private university. All classes are taught in English, and there are currently over 2,000 students enrolled.
Earlier this month, two professors, an American and an Australian citizen, were kidnapped from its campus.Earlier this month, two professors, an American and an Australian citizen, were kidnapped from its campus.
While no one has claimed responsibility, the Islamist Taliban group is the likeliest suspect. It has led a widespread insurgency since the mass departure of US forces in 2014, and is currently engaged in fighting government forces in about half of the country's provinces.