Afghanistan Times
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By Farhad Naibkhel-KABUL: At least over 30 people were killed and over 50 others received injures after suicide bombers stormed Sardar Dawod Khan—a military hospital in Kabul on Wednesday morning, security official said.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, Dawlat Waziri, said first a suicide attacker exploded his laden explosive vest at the front gate of the Sardar Dawod Khan—military hospital, where latter three other fighters, dressing with doctors uniform stormed in the hospital. He added that over 30 people were killed and over 50 others wounded in the attack. “Patients, children, women, and visitors are among those killed and wounded.”
After the long-hour standoff, the Afghan security forces had halted the attack by killing four suicide attackers associated with Islamic State (IS), aka Daesh terrorist who stormed military hospital in Kabul.
Confirming the news, Spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Seddiq Seddiqi, said “Police Special Forces shortly after the attack reached to the hospital and responded against terrorist attacks.”
“Today’s attack that carried out by Taliban and Islamic State (IS), aka Daesh terrorist group against our injured security personnel’s’, indicated that the militants can’t stand face to face in battlefield against our brave security forces,” he added.
According to defense ministry the attackers brought under attack 1st to7th floors of the hospital, which after hour’s Afghan Special Forces succeeded to kill all three involved attackers and clear 1st to 7th floor from insurgents.
Reportedly, fighters loyal to the Islamic State (IS), aka Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.
National Security Council Advisor to the President said that “I condemn the brutal terrorist attack on Sardar M. Khan hospital and express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims.
The U.S. Embassy strongly condemns today’s deadly attack on an Afghan National Army Hospital in Kabul. The attack demonstrates the blatant disregard for human life by those seeking to disrupt Afghanistan’s democratic progress. Targeting a medical facility providing care for the brave Afghans working to protect their fellow citizens has no possible justification in any religion or creed. We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims of this senseless and cowardly act.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemns today’s complex attack on Kabul’s Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan Hospital. The hospital treats sick and wounded members of the armed forces and their family members, and is the largest medical military facility in Afghanistan.
This morning, attackers reportedly disguised as medical doctors detonated a suicide body-borne IED at the entrance gate to the hospital, after which several attackers armed with AK-47s, grenades and suicide vests entered the facility. The armed attackers proceeded to target patients and medical workers before Afghan security forces ended the assault.
Islamic State operatives claimed responsibility for the attack. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) continues to verify the numbers of civilian casualties, which are reportedly high.
“This egregious and morally reprehensible attack targeted people at their most vulnerable, while they were receiving treatment in the hospital, and also targeted the medical staff caring for them,” said PernilleKardel, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and acting head of UNAMA.
“This cowardly attack reflects a fundamental rejection of the most basic principles of humanity,” she said. “Without question, it amounts to an atrocity, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”
UNAMA stresses that attacks on hospitals and the murder or intentional injury of persons taking no active part in hostilities – including sick and wounded members of the armed forces and its medical staff – are violations of international humanitarian law that may amount to war crimes.
UNAMA urges all parties to the conflict to respect and protect all medical workers, clinics and hospitals in compliance with international humanitarian law.
“This atrocity shows how Afghan people’s desire and hope for a peaceful future is interrupted by unspeakable violence over and over again,” said MsKardel. “The UN family in Afghanistan stands in support of all Afghans, who continue to demonstrate resilience and determination in their efforts to bring about a peaceful future for the country.”
UNAMA expresses its condolences to the families and colleagues of those killed in the attack and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.
