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Afghanistan: Kabul military hospital hit by attackers Afghanistan: IS gunmen dressed as medics attack Kabul military hospital
(35 minutes later)
Attackers have stormed the largest military hospital in Kabul and a gun battle is under way, the Afghan defence ministry says. Attackers dressed as doctors have stormed the largest military hospital in Kabul and a gun battle is under way, the Afghan defence ministry says.
One doctor said he saw a gunman wearing a medic's coat pull out a concealed assault rifle and open fire. At least one person has been killed along with an attacker, officials say, but some reports suggest the final toll could be higher.
One person has been killed along with one of the attackers and all patients have been evacuated, officials say. Afghan commandos have landed on the Sardar Daud hospital roof and are fighting the militants.
The so-called Islamic State (IS) group has claimed the attack via its Amaq news agency. The so-called Islamic State (IS) group has claimed the attack.
The Taliban has denied responsibility, local media reported.
President Ashraf Ghani said the attack at the 400-bed Sardar Daud hospital "trampled all human values".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."In all religions, a hospital is regarded as an immune site and attacking it is attacking the whole of Afghanistan," he said.
How successful has IS been in Afghanistan?
Stuck between IS and the Taliban
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.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.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."
Afghan commandos descended into the hospital compound from helicopters while security forces sealed off the streets outside.
One of the attackers has been killed and the others were hiding under stairs and in bathrooms, a defence spokesman 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. Patients have been evacuated via emergency exits.
At least 54 people have been injured, most of them hospital staff, 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".
Sixteen people were killed in dual Taliban suicide attacks on Kabul a week ago. IS has been active in Afghanistan since 2015 and has carried out a number of attacks.
They were the latest in a string of attacks to challenge the Afghan authorities after the resurgent militant group started its spring offensive early. It claimed responsibility for a suicide attack at Kabul's Supreme Court last month that killed 22 people.
The group's so-called Khorasan Province, which covers Afghanistan and Pakistan, has recently stepped up activity in both countries.
The Taliban has also been carrying out attacks, killing 16 people in Kabul in suicide attacks a week ago, after beginning its Spring offensive early.