Gunmen kill at least 20 students in attack on Kabul university

Gunmen attacked Kabul University's campus on Monday, killing at least20 students and trading fire with security forces, a senior Afghan government source and witnesses said.

The attackers were targeting students and fired on them as they fled in the Afghan capital, one witness said.

“They were shooting at every student they saw,” Fathullah Moradi told Reuters, saying he had managed to escape through one of the university's gates with a group of friends.

The Taliban said their fighters were not involved in the assault. No other group immediately claimed responsibility.

Witnesses said the attack followed an explosion in the area.

“At least 20 killed many others wounded,” the senior government official told Reuters on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media.

Gunfight at Kabul University continues five hours after a group of attackers entered the university compound.

Sources say 20 people have been killed in the attack. pic.twitter.com/9zyGz3N1d4

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) November 2, 2020

Several attackers had entered the campus and were fighting with security forces, interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said. At least 40 people were injured, a police source said.

Nato Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan Stefano Pontecorvo condemned the attack.

“This is the second attack on educational institutions in Kabul in ten days. Afghan children and youth need to feel safe going to school,” he said in a statement.

An attack late last month on an education centre in Kabul killed 24 people, mostly students.

Violence has plagued Afghanistan while government and Taliban negotiators have been meeting in Qatar to try to broker a peace deal and as the United States brings home its troops.