It was just a normal school day for students and professors of American University of Afghanistan. The day was about to end when an explosion interrupted the discussion and gunmen attacked the campus.
An unknown number of assailants stormed the American University of Afghanistan at 7:50 p.m. The night attack left professors and students stuck inside their classrooms, made them run for their lives, killed twelve and injured twenty-six.
The Los Angeles Times reports that it is believed that the American University of Afghanistan might have been attacked by Taliban and other militant groups. It is because the university is a symbol of American-Afghanistan friendship in the Middle Eastern land.
According to CNN, 750 students were at the campus when the gunmen opened fire. The night ended with seven students, three policemen and two security guards killed. Two attackers were also killed by the police after going around the campus and finding guns and explosives.
Based on student narratives, they stayed on the floor after blocking the classroom doors with chairs and desks. They heard gunshots and screams of hundreds of students trying to find a way out. Most were able to escape through the campus' northern emergency route (via Los Angeles Times).
As per CNN, most of the students of American University of Afghanistan are not Americans but a number of faculty members are. The university's official site explains that the school goes by such name because it follows an American-style academic curriculum. It is the only private, non-profit and independent university under the Afghan Constitution and Ministry of Higher Education of the Afghan government.
The attack comes after an American and Australian teacher of the university were abducted around three weeks ago. School was suspended that time and until now, the teachers haven't been found yet (via CNN).
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