New Born Babies, Mothers Killed As Gunmen Attack Maternity Ward

Two babies have been killed after gunmen open fire at a hospital in Afghanistan.

11 mothers and nurses also lost their lives in the attack.

BBC reports that another 15 people, including a number of children, were injured when several gunmen attacked the Kabul hospital on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Part of the hospital is run by the international medical charity, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and some of those working there are foreigners.

Meanwhile, in the east, an attack at a police funeral has killed at least 21.

Dozens more were injured in that bomb blast and casualty numbers in both attacks could rise. It is not clear who carried out either attack.

In Kabul, locals heard two blasts, then gunfire. One doctor who fled during the assault, which began at about 10:00 local time (05:30 GMT), told the BBC about 180 people were in the hospital when the gunmen began their attack.

Afghan special forces have rescued 100 women and children, including three foreigners, an official told the BBC.

The attackers, who gained access dressed as police officers, according to news agency Reuters, were all killed by security personnel after a battle lasting hours.

The Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital has a maternity wing run by MSF. Many foreign staff live in a guesthouse behind the hospital building and a doctor who fled the building told the BBC he saw an explosion there too.

The Taliban, who signed a withdrawal agreement with the United States more than two months ago, have denied involvement.