KABUL: Foreign staff and dozens of students were trapped inside the campus of the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul on Wednesday after suspected militants attacked it with explosives and gunfire, a government official said.

The official said that elite Afghan forces had surrounded the university compound, where shooting lasted for more than an hour after the assault began at around 6.30pm (1400 GMT).

Witnesses at the scene said gunfire had since stopped, and special forces had made their way into the compound.

News on casualties was sketchy, but Mohammad Saleem Rasouly, head of hospitals in Kabul, said that at least one student had been killed and 14 wounded.

No one claimed the responsibility for the attack.

Early reports suggested that several gunmen, some wearing suicide vests, were involved, the official said.

“Several gunmen attacked the American University in Kabul and there are reports of gunfire and explosions,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2016

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