American university in Afghanistan comes under attack

KABUL, Afghanistan

The American University of Afghanistan in the capital of Kabul has come under a gun-and-bomb attack, which has so far wounded at least 10 people and trapped several students and faculty members inside, according to local Afghan media reports.

Local Afghan television outlet Tolonews tweeted, "dozens of students and staff locked down in safe rooms and under guard."

Earlier, a security source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media that an assailant had first detonated a bomb-laden vehicle and stormed the university building.

Two weeks back, two faculty members of the university were abducted at gun point by unidentified gunmen in the city.

According to the university’s official website, the American University of Afghanistan “opened its doors in 2006 with an initial enrollment of 50 students, and today enrolls more than 1,700 full and part-time students.

“It has produced 29 Fulbright Scholars and maintains partnerships with the world’s most prestigious universities, including Stanford University, Georgetown University, and the University of California network.”