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19 dead in attack on Kabul hospital; Taliban say suicide bomber responsible
A suicide bomber and a gunmen are suspected to be behind the attack on the military hospital, a Taliban official was quoted by media reports.
At least 19 people died and over 50 have been wounded in two explosions heard on Tuesday near the Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan military hospital in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul, followed by the sound of gunfire, media reports stated. The casualties are expected to increase.
A Taliban official, on condition on anonymity, told news agency AFP that a suicide bomber and a gunmen were behind the Kabul hospital attack.
Residents in the area shared photographs showing a plume of smoke rising near the former diplomatic zone in the Wazir Akbar Khan area of the city. At least two helicopters were seen flying over the area, witnessed told Reuters.
The blasts took place at the entrance of the 400-bed military hospital in central Kabul and security forces had been sent to the area, Interior ministry spokesman Qari Saeed Khosty informed.
The first explosion occurred in front of the hospital, TOLO news agency reported citing Taliban spokesperson, while the second explosion also occurred in an area nearby.
"I am inside the hospital. I heard a big explosion coming from the first checkpoint. We were told to go to safe rooms. I also hear guns firing," a witness was quoted as saying by AFP.
A Taliban security official, who wished to remain anonymous later confirmed the deaths.There has been no official comment from Taliban officials as of now. Further details are awaited.
