Attack against American University of Afghanistan leaves 13 dead

At least 13 people were killed and more than 30 wounded during an attack on the American University of Afghanistan on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Interior said seven students, two police officers, a security guard, and three assailants died during the attack. It began when one assailant detonated a car bomb outside of the university, which was founded in 2006, during evening classes. Two assailants then began shooting at students, killing seven, before entering the university's main building, where they battled security forces. Students reported barricading themselves in classrooms, pushing tables and chairs against the doors. An Associated Press photographer, Massoud Hossaini, was in a classroom with 15 students when he heard an explosion outside. Hossaini told AP he "went to the window to see what was going on, and I saw a person in normal clothes outside. He shot at me and shattered the glass." Hossaini said two grenades were thrown into the classroom, injuring some students, and he was able to escape through an emergency gate. Authorities say hundreds of students were on campus when the attack began.

No group has claimed responsibility yet for the attack. Two weeks ago, two university staff members, an Australian and an American, were abducted from their vehicle by unknown gunmen, and their whereabouts remain unknown.

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