Insurgents Attack Military Hospital in Afghan Capital

“We are aware of the report of Kabul hospital attack & are monitoring the situation”.

Officials, who had earlier said at least three people had been killed in Wednesday’s attack, revised the figure after security forces carried out checks of the buildings in the hospital complex.

The Iranian Embassy in Kabul also condemned the attack and sent his nation’s condolences to the victims’ families and the Afghan nation.

Ismail Kawoosi, a Health Ministry spokesman, said 66 injured people were rushed to two other nearby hospitals for treatment, some of whom were in critical condition.

No insurgent party has claimed responsibility yet.

The remaining attackers traced their way to the third floor of the hospital – carrying small arms and hand grenades – spraying bullets at the fleeing staff members.

The hospital treats military casualties from around the country. He said it was an attack on all the Afghan people.

The 400-bed military hospital is located in the Wazir Akbar Khan area of Kabul.

At least two other loud explosions were heard as Afghan Special Forces sought to rein in the attackers. Troops arriving by helicopter on the hospital’s roof killed the attackers after several hours of fighting, the BBC reported.

The Taliban are known to distance themselves from attacks on medical centres and those that result in high civilian casualties, and have clashed with ISIL and its affiliates in recent years.

With U.S. President Donald Trump yet to announce his policy for Afghanistan, where the top U.S. commander has said thousands more global troops may be needed to maintain stability, the attack also pointed to Islamic State’s growing threat. “The Wednesday’s terrorist attack clearly evinces that terrorists don’t follow any rules and laws”, the president said in a statement.