Gunmen disguised as doctors attack military hospital in Afghan capital

ISIS has claimed responsibility for an attack on a military hospital in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in which gunmen dressed as doctors slipped into the facility and battled security forces inside the building for several hours. The attack began when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the rear of the 400-bed Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan hospital and three attackers with automatic weapons and hand grenades entered the complex, security officials said. The gunmen, dressed as medical personnel, had taken position on upper floors of the hospital and engaged special forces sent to the scene.

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

President Ashraf Ghani

Security forces blocked off the area around the hospital, near a busy traffic intersection and special forces soldiers descended on to the roof of the main building from helicopters. As fighting went on, a second explosion was heard from inside. Afghan helicopters circled over the area, which was surrounded by Afghan security forces. Abdul Qadir, a hospital worker who witnessed the attack, said an attacker in a white coat shot at him and his colleagues. He added that there were seven patients prepared for surgery at the operation theater where he works.