Jan. 29, 2018: Afghan security personnel arrive at the site of an attack at the Marshal Fahim academy in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP)
At least five Afghan soldiers were killed and 10 others were wounded after an army unit guarding a military academy came under attack early Monday, officials said.
A suicide bomber first attacked the unit guarding the Marshal Fahim National Defense University in Kabul, and the attack was followed by a gun battle in which the two soldiers were killed, Afghan defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.
Officials said at least 10 other soldiers were wounded in the attack. They said five insurgents led the attack and at least two of them blew themselves up and two others were killed in a gun fight, while one was arrested alive by soldiers.
Explosions and gunfire were heard at a military university in Afghanistan early Monday, as reports emerged that the school was under attack. (US Military)
“The Afghan National Army is the country’s defense force and makes sacrifices for the security and well-being of the people,” Defense Ministry officials said.
Mohammed Ehsan, of Kabul, told Reuters that he heard explosions outside the academy at around 5 a.m., and the attack continued for at least an hour. Smaller blasts could reportedly still be heard after, but at less frequent intervals.
Afzal Aman, commander of the Army Garrison, confirmed that an army unit was attacked with hand grenades around the area of academy.
At least two Afghan soldiers were killed in the assault. (AP)
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (AP)
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, Reuters reported, citing the terror group’s propaganda agency. ISIS terrorists and Taliban militants have ramped up attacks against Afghan security force over the last month.
Monday’s assault followed a suicide bombing in Kabul on Saturday, which killed at least 103 people, and a Jan. 20 attack at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, which left more than 20 people — including multiple American citizens — dead.
Fifteen soldiers training at the military school were killed in October when a suicide bomber driving a car filled with explosives rammed into a bus leaving the academy. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.