Death toll of terrorist attack on university in Kabul soars to 15

A wounded man is helped by a medic inside an ambulance following an attack at American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan August 24, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

KABUL -- Around 15 people including seven students were killed after the militants attacked a private American-run university in Kabul Wednesday evening, Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said Thursday.

"Those martyred in the terrorist attack include seven students, two guards, three police officers and a gatekeeper of a nearby school," Rahimi told reporters at the site of the incident.

Two attackers were also killed in the blast and firefight which lasted for some 10 hours, the official added.

One militant, riding an explosive-laden car blew it up next to the gate of the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) at around 07:00 pm local time Wednesday enabling other to enter the compound and began firing which triggered gun battle that lasted until 05:00 a.m. local time Thursday.

The fortified targeted building is located along the four-line Dar-ul-Aman road which leads to the parliament building.

Some 35 more people including three female students are also among those injured in the deadly terrorist attack, according to an official who declined to be identified.

Previously unknown armed men abducted two professors of the university couple of weeks ago on the same road Dar-ul-Aman road.

Although no group or individual has claimed of responsibility for the deadly attack, officials have put finger at the enemies of Afghanistan, a reference to the Taliban.