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Gunmen attack American University in Kabul, campus on lockdown One dead, 25 injured, as gunmen attack American University in Kabul
(35 minutes later)
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. Militants set off a car bomb and burst into the American University campus in Kabul on Wednesday evening, trapping hundreds of students and staff inside for several hours, as special forces attempted to retake control.
At least one person is dead, and 14 are injured, according to a statement from Kabul's chief medical officer. At least one person is dead, and 25 are injured, according to a statement from the country's health ministry officials.
“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.”
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. The initial explosion - now assumed to be from a car rigged with explosives - was heard at about 7.30 pm local time.
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.“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.”“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.”
Hossaini, who injured his hands on glass from a shattered window, after being shot at by a gunman, later managed to escape.Hossaini, who injured his hands on glass from a shattered window, after being shot at by a gunman, later managed to escape.
It appears that the attackers did not manage to get inside several of the key buildings, and were eventually forced into a next-door hospital for the blind.
There is a heavy police presence around the district, which has been cordoned off, with armored vehicles and ambulances streaming in and out.There is a heavy police presence around the district, which has been cordoned off, with armored vehicles and ambulances streaming in and out.
Afghan officials say US counter-terrorism advisers are on the scene, helping to resolve the standoff. Afghan officials say US counter-terrorism advisers were on the scene, helping to resolve the standoff.
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.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.