19 KILLED AS ARMED ASSAILANTS ATTACK KABUL UNIVERSITY

3 NOV 2020

KABUL: At least 19 students and teachers were killed and 22 wounded when unknown assailants stormed Kabul University in the Afghan capital Monday following multiple blasts and a gunfight, Anadolu Agency reported according to officials.

Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said in a statement the attack ended at around 5 pm (1230GMT) with all three attackers killed.

"The vicious terrorist attack on Kabul University ended with all three terrorists killed. In this incident, unfortunately, 19 people were martyred and 22 others injured," he said in a statement.

Health Ministry spokesman Akmal Samsor said that most of the injured, many in critical condition, were rushed to the nearby Ali Abad Public Hospital.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that several armed assailants entered the university building in Kabul at around 11 am (0630GMT) through the northern gate, causing chaos, with students running for their lives.

"They began shooting indiscriminately at everyone in sight," an eyewitness said.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility. However, the Taliban, through a statement, denied involvement.

Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh, blaming the Taliban insurgents for the raging bloodshed in the country, called this attack an "intelligence failure."

The attack took place as a book exhibition by Afghan and Iranian publishers was underway at Kabul University.

The attack has been condemned by the Afghan government, its international partners, and human rights groups. - Bernama