KABUL: An Afghan policeman opened fire at a Kabul hospital run by a US charity on Thursday, killing three Americans, including a doctor, in the latest attack targeting foreign civilians in the city.

The gunman was injured in the incident outside the CURE International hospital and detained by police, officials said, adding that the motive for the shooting was not immediately known.

“He opened fire as the foreign nationals were entering the hospital, tragically killing three and injuring one more,” Seddiq Sediqqi, spokesman for the interior ministry, said.

“Another policeman in the area shot the attacker, injuring him.”

Health Minister Soraya Dalil told reporters the victims were a US doctor who had worked for CURE for seven years and an American father and son visiting the hospital. She added that the attacker, who had been on duty guarding the hospital, was now being treated inside for his injuries.

“With great sadness we confirm that three Americans were killed in the attack on CURE Hospital,” the US embassy said on its Twitter account.

“No other information will be released at this time.” Kabul has been hit by a spate of attacks targeting foreign civilians this year, including a Lebanese restaurant where 21 people died, an attack on a luxury hotel and the daylight shooting of a Swedish radio journalist.

Last month Taliban militants attacked a Kabul guesthouse used by Roots of Peace, a US anti-landmine charity, killing two people including a girl.

And this month AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus was shot dead by a police commander in Khost in an attack which also left her Canadian colleague Kathy Gannon badly wounded.—AFP