Islamic State claims responsibility for attack on Kabul hospital

Cairo, November 3

Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted Afghanistan’s biggest military hospital on Tuesday, the group’s Amaq news agency said on an affiliated telegram channel.

At least 25 people were killed and more than 50 wounded when gunmen attacked the hospital after two heavy explosions at the site in central Kabul, officials said.

Six attackers set off an explosion at the entrance of a military hospital in the Afghan capital on Tuesday and tried to enter the facility, but were eventually pushed back by Taliban guards, an official with the Taliban-run Defence Ministry said.

Hibatullah Jamal, the Taliban official from the Defence Ministry, said two of the six attackers were captured.

He did not say how many people were killed or wounded. “There are casualties among both our personnel and civilians but immediately the toll is not clear,” he said.

He said Taliban fighters were among those killed, but that most of the casualties were civilians. The Taliban have regained control of the hospital, he added.

City residents had reported two explosions in the area, along with the sound of gunfire.

In recent weeks, the Islamic State group has carried out a series of bombing and shooting attacks. IS has stepped up attacks since the Taliban takeover of the country. Agencies