MOSCOW (Sputnik) – An explosion occurred at the entrance to a hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, and militants then entered the building, 1TV broadcaster reported on Tuesday, citing a doctor working at the hospital.
This was a suicide bombing, 1TV specified. Only some staffers have managed to leave the hospital.
A gun fight is ongoing in the building, with militants using hand grenades, 1TV added, citing a security source.
Police have confirmed to the local media that a number of assailants have attacked a hospital in Kabul’s PD 13.
Police special units have taken position in the area.
Eyewitnesses said that there were two explosions near the hospital, located in the Dasht-e-Barchi area, also noting “small arms fire.” They did not provide any information about doctors. According to previous media reports, only some staffers have managed to leave the building.
The Afghan Interior Ministry confirmed the incident, saying that gunmen entered the hospital and opened fire there.
“Unfortunately, a group of suicide bombers attacked a hospital in the western part of Kabul city. Afghan forces are in the area. So far, 40 civilians have been rescued. Efforts are being made to rescue all the people and to return the situation to normal,” Tariq Areen, a spokesman for the ministry, said in a statement.
The Taliban movement said in a statement that it was not behind this attack.
The hospital under attack in Kabul is funded by Doctors Without Borders.
Sputnik