Twelve dead in attack on the American University in Afghanistan

Twelve people were killed in an attack on the American University in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul. Seven of the dead are students.

The attack began at around 6.00 p.m. local time with a massive explosion, believed to be a car bomb. This was followed by the sound of gunfire and grenades were thrown. Reuters press agency reported that seven hundred students were evacuated.

Other students and employees barricaded themselves in classrooms or jumped down from the second floor to escape the violence. Afghan security forces were able to end the siege just before dawn, killing at least two of the attackers.

Seven students were killed along with two security officers and three policemen. More than thirty people were injured. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Second attack

About 1,700 students attend the American University, established by former First Lady Laura Bush in 2006. This is the second time this month that the university has been the target of a terrorist attack. Three weeks ago an Australian and American lecturer were kidnapped. They remain missing without a trace.