Islamic State militants detonated an explosion at the entrance to a military hospital in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, killing at least seven people, a senior Taliban official said. It was one of the most brazen ISIS attacks since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the summer.
Islamic State attack on Kabul hospital leaves 7 dead, 16 wounded
Among the dead were three women, a child and three Taliban guards, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. Five attackers were also killed, he said, adding that Taliban guards prevented them from entering the hospital. He said the attack was over within 15 minutes.
“No one died inside the hospital,” the spokesman said. He said Taliban guards foiled ISIS plans to attack medical staff and patients at the 400-bed facility.
He said Taliban special forces were subsequently deployed and searched the hospital and a helicopter was used in the operation.
Health officials said 16 people were wounded in the attack on the Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan hospital in Kabul’s 10th district. Mujahid said five Taliban fighters were among the wounded.
Earlier, another Taliban official had said the attack was carried out by six men and that two of them were captured.
During the attack, residents of the town had reported two explosions in the area, along with the sound of gunfire.
In recent weeks, IS militants carried out a series of bomb and shooting attacks. IS has stepped up attacks since the Taliban took over the country.
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