At least 19 people were killed and 22 injured when armed militants invaded Kabul University at an Iranian book fair on Monday, Afghan officials and eyewitnesses said on Monday.
“The University of Kabul has been invaded by enemies of Afghanistan, enemies of education,” Tarik Arians, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, told reporters.
“Security forces are in the area trying to take control of the situation. They are moving forward carefully to avoid suffering for students,” Arians explained.
The ministry later reported that clashes between the attackers and Afghan security forces lasted six hours and the operation was not over.
Eyewitnesses report that the attackers, dressed in army uniforms, entered the campus and occupied one of the faculties, engaging in hours of shooting with elite security forces. Helicopters were circling above the university and firing and explosion noise was heard.
The shots came at a time when government officials were scheduled to arrive at the opening of the book fair, Hamid Obaidi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Higher Education, said.
The US military confirmed that the NATO-led Resolute Support mission provided support to the Afghan security forces during the operation, but declined to explain in detail.
Hundreds of people were at the university at the time of the attack.
The Taliban have said they have nothing to do with the attack. In recent years, several educational centers have been attacked by militants from extremist groups, including the Islamic State.
Last week, a terrorist suicide bombing killed at least 24 people, mostly students, at an educational center in western Kabul. The Islamic State took responsibility for the terrorist attack.
In 2018, a terrorist suicide bombing near Kabul University killed dozens of people, including many teenagers. The Islamic State also claimed responsibility for these terrorist acts.
16 people were killed when militants invaded the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul in 2016.
The violence in Afghanistan is continuing, despite talks between government officials and the Taliban in Qatar in September.
The rebels refuse to accept a ceasefire regime.
Experts predict that difficult talks are expected until a ceasefire can be agreed.
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