18 killed in terrorist attack at maternity hospital in Kabul

Eighteen people, including three assailants, were killed and 17 people wounded after two explosions and ensuing shooting rocked a maternity hospital in the western part of Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry confirmed.

The attack occurred roughly at 10:00 a.m. local time after three assailants armed with guns and bombs stormed the 100-bed public hospital and the counter-attack ended at around 3:30 p.m. after all attackers were killed, the ministry said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, 12 women and two children were martyred and 15 civilians, including women, children and medical staff, were wounded in the tragic incident," the statement said.

One police officer was also killed and two police were wounded in the terrorist attack in the populated area, the statement added.

More than 100 patients and medical personnel were rescued from the building, it added.

At least two newborns were wounded by gunshots, according to witnesses.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Over the past months, the Afghan capital with a population of nearly 5 million has been hit by a series of terrorist attacks by Taliban insurgents and militants of Islamic State (IS).