Two die in Afghan army hospital blast, IS owns responsiblity

At least two persons were killed and 23 injured when three explosions rocked a military hospital here on Wednesday. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

The first blast took place around 9 a.m at the Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan Hospital in Wazir Akbar Khan area, where several government agencies and embassies are located, and was followed by another.

The third bombing came around 10.45 a.m. when army helicopters were hovering over the building.

At least five suicide bombers were involved in the attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

The IS claimed responsibility of the attack on its Amaq news agency, Tolo News reported.

President Ashraf Ghani said the attack "trampled all human values".

"In all religions, a hospital is regarded as an immune site and attacking it is attacking the whole of Afghanistan," Ghani said as per the BBC.

"I saw one of the suicide bombers who wore the doctors' uniform and opened fire. I managed to escape from the area," a doctor told TOLO News.

Another hospital staff member wrote on Facebook: "Attackers are inside the hospital. Pray for us."

Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah also condemned the attack and vowed to "avenge the blood of our people".

The injured were admitted to Wazir Akbar Khan hospital, Khaama Press quoted Ismahil Kawosi, a Health Ministry spokesman, as saying.

Afghan Crisis Respond Unit (CRU) forces were at the site and still engaged with the attackers, a security source said.

Meanwhile, the NATO-led Resolute Support coalition forces said they "stand ready to assist Afghan security services".

The 400-bed hospital, which is located in the diplomatic district near the US embassy, is the main and largest army hospital in the country.

--IANS

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