Gunmen Storm American University In Afghanistan In Kabul: Explosions, Gunfire Ongoing

Gunmen have stormed American University of Afghanistan in Kabul on Wednesday night as witnesses said they heard gunfire and explosions ringing out. According to media reports, the attackers have infiltrated the educational institution. Teachers and hundreds of students are said to be sheltering inside the building.

American Univ. in Kabul is reportedly under attack -American teachers & hundreds of students are sheltering inside https://t.co/QJPc6jZzDt

— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) August 24, 2016

A CBS confirms, the American University of Afghanistan is currently under attack.  CBS News’ Ahmad Muktar reports from Afghanistan that several American professors are inside, along with possibly hundreds of students. Many appear to have escaped through emergency doors. 

Witnesses say they heard gunshots, then a blast, and many believe it was the gate blown open, letting the attackers inside. 

DEVELOPING: Explosion and gunfire near American Univ. of Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghan media and witnesses report.

— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) August 24, 2016

#Kabul explosion updates: Attackers have infiltrated inside the #American #University of #Afghanistan

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 24, 2016

#BREAKING: Explosions & gunfire reported at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul pic.twitter.com/9Y82LhbeNK

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) August 24, 2016

Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press photographer Massoud Hossaini has been tweeting that he is trapped inside along with others.

Help we are stuck inside AUAF and shooting flollowed by Explo this maybe my last tweets

— Massoud Hossaini (@Massoud151) August 24, 2016

As CBS adds, two professors — an American and an Australian — were kidnapped recently from the university on the 8th of August. Five gunmen wearing Afghan military uniforms abducted the pair at gunpoint. The two foreigners were taken from their SUV while driving on Sunday night on a main road near the American University of Afghanistan, according to Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry.