Attack on American University of Afghanistan Injures 25, Kills 1

Attackers exchanged gunfire with Afghan forces; No group has claimed responsibility.

Militants stormed the heavily-barricaded American University of Afghanistan in Kabul Wednesday evening, firing at students in an attack that left at least one person dead and wounded 25 others.

An unknown number of assailants entered the campus, causing panicked students and staff to flee and hide, Afghan officials and witnesses said. The attackers exchanged gunfire with Afghan forces for hours as they attempted to secure the campus.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, but the university has long been at high risk of attack from Taliban militants because of its association with foreigners.

One guard was killed in the attack, said a spokesman for the ministry of health, adding that the number of casualties could rise further. Many of the wounded are students who were attending after-work classes at the prestigious school.

Elite Afghan forces led the clearing operation as ambulances stood on standby outside the university compound. Foreign troops with the U.S.-led military coalition were at the scene to advise and assist Afghan forces.

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