The suspected ISIS gunmen are reported to have killed two newborn babies, along with at least 12 mothers and nurses, after attacking a maternity hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul. According to officials, the gunmen disguised themselves as police officers and launched the attack by throwing grenades and opening fire with rifles at the maternity hospital in Dashti Barchi. The assault resulted in the deaths of two newborn babies and 14 others, including mothers and nurses, while 15 individuals, including men, women, and children, sustained injuries.
Following the initial attack, the gunmen engaged in a shootout with security forces for several hours before being neutralized. Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian indicated that over 100 women and babies were successfully evacuated from the medical facility, with three foreign nationals among those evacuated. The photos shared by the Interior Ministry during the Kabul attack depicted newborn babies and their mothers being carried out of the hospital by Afghan security forces, as well as the lifeless bodies of some victims on the ground after the assailants were eliminated.
ISIS is suspected of being responsible for the attack, particularly in light of a series of other attacks that occurred in the Afghan capital on the previous day. However, the Taliban, soon to enter peace talks following an agreement with US forces in February, has denied involvement in the attacks. Meanwhile, ISIS has yet to either confirm or deny responsibility for the assault.
In a separate incident on the same day, a suicide bomber targeted a funeral in Afghanistan, resulting in 24 fatalities and 68 individuals sustaining injuries.