Afghanistan: IS gunmen dressed as medics attack Kabul military hospital

Afghan commandos were dropped onto the roof of the Sardar Daud hospital

Attackers dressed as doctors have stormed the largest military hospital in Kabul, sparking a fierce gun battle, Afghan officials say.

At least three people have been killed but some reports suggest the final toll could be higher. Afghan commandos who landed on the Sardar Daud hospital roof have now killed all the attackers, the interior ministry says.

Smoke billowed from the hospital roof during the attack

The so-called Islamic State (IS) group has claimed the attack. The Taliban has denied any role in the attack, local media reported. President Ashraf Ghani said the attack at the 400-bed Sardar Daud hospital "trampled all human values".

"In all religions, a hospital is regarded as an immune site and attacking it is attacking the whole of Afghanistan," he said.

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The attack began at 09:00 local time (04:30 GMT) when one militant blew himself up at the southern gate of the hospital - which is near the US embassy - and three other attackers entered the compound.

They entered the second and third floors of the hospital carrying small arms and hand grenades and began shooting.

One hospital staff member who was able to get out saw an attacker "wearing a white coat holding a Kalashnikov and opening fire on everyone, including the guards, patients and doctors".