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Kabul military hospital comes under attack Afghanistan: Kabul military hospital hit by attackers
(about 2 hours later)
Attackers have entered the largest military hospital in Kabul and a gun battle is under way, the Afghan defence ministry says. Attackers have stormed the largest military hospital in Kabul and a gun battle is under way, the Afghan defence ministry says.
An employee told the BBC he heard an explosion at the Sardar Daud hospital's main gate followed by gunfire. One doctor said he saw a gunman wearing a medic's coat pull out a concealed assault rifle and open fire.
One doctor said he saw a gunman wearing a medic's coat pull out a concealed assault rifle and open fire, killing two people. One person has been killed along with one of the attackers and all patients have been evacuated, officials say.
The 400-bed hospital is near the US embassy. The so-called Islamic State (IS) group has claimed the attack via its Amaq news agency.
President Ashraf Ghani said the attack at the 400-bed Sardar Daud hospital "trampled all human values".
"In all religions, a hospital is regarded as an immune site and attacking it is attacking the whole of Afghanistan," he said.
The attack began at 09:00 local time (04:30 GMT) when one militant detonated his explosives at the southern gate of the hospital - which is near the US embassy - and three other attackers entered the compound.
They entered the second and third floors of the hospital carrying small arms and hand grenades and began shooting.
"I saw a suicide attacker wearing a white coat open fire on me, I jumped from the stairs, then he opened fire on one of my colleagues," said Abdul Qadir, a doctor who managed to escape."I saw a suicide attacker wearing a white coat open fire on me, I jumped from the stairs, then he opened fire on one of my colleagues," said Abdul Qadir, a doctor who managed to escape.
Another hospital staff member wrote on Facebook: "Attackers are inside the hospital. Pray for us."Another hospital staff member wrote on Facebook: "Attackers are inside the hospital. Pray for us."
President Ashraf Ghani said the attack "trampled all human values". Afghan commandos descended into the hospital compound from helicopters while security forces sealed off the streets outside.
"In all religions, a hospital is regarded as an immune site and attacking it is attacking the whole of Afghanistan," he said. One of the attackers has been killed and the others were hiding under stairs and in bathrooms, a defence spokesman said.
At least 29 people have been injured, Tolo TV quoted the health ministry as saying.
Afghanistan's de-facto deputy leader Abdullah Abdullah also condemned the attack on Twitter and vowed to "avenge the blood of our people".Afghanistan's de-facto deputy leader Abdullah Abdullah also condemned the attack on Twitter and vowed to "avenge the blood of our people".
Between three and five attackers armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades had entered the hospital and had taken up positions on the third and fourth floors, Reuters quoted an unnamed security official as saying.
A defence ministry spokesman said an unknown number of attackers were inside the hospital compound exchanging fire with army units. The ministry did not yet have reports of casualties, he said.
A second explosion was heard during the fighting, Reuters reported.
At least 13 people injured in the attack have been taken to other hospitals, Tolo News television reports, citing health officials.
Sixteen people were killed in dual Taliban suicide attacks on Kabul a week ago.Sixteen people were killed in dual Taliban suicide attacks on Kabul a week ago.
They were the latest in a string of attacks to challenge the Afghan authorities after the resurgent militant group started its spring offensive early.They were the latest in a string of attacks to challenge the Afghan authorities after the resurgent militant group started its spring offensive early.