At least 19 people were killed and 22 wounded when gunmen stormed Kabul University in Afghanistan’s capital on Monday November 2, 2020, in an attack that ended after hours of fighting with security forces.
Hamid Obaidi, spokesman for the Ministry of Higher Education, told AFP news agency Monday’s attack started when government officials were arriving for the opening of an Iranian book fair organised on campus.
Witnesses said gunmen stormed the facility, sending hundreds fleeing and scrambling over walls of the campus.
Afghan security forces later surrounded the area, cordoning off all roads that led to the university, witnesses and an AFP correspondent reported.
“The attack is over, but sadly 19 people have been killed and 22 more wounded,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Tariq Arian told AFP.
“Three attackers were involved. One of them blew up his explosives at the beginning, two were brought down by the security forces.”
Witnesses said the attack followed an explosion in the area.
Students spoke of chaos and confusion.
“We were studying inside our classrooms when suddenly we heard a burst of gunfire,” said student Fraidoon Ahmadi, 23.
“Some students have fled… it is chaotic and students are terrified,” he added.
