Gunmen attack military training centre in Kabul

ISIL attackers carry out assault while hiding in a nearby building, triggering firefight with police.

Afghan security forces keep watch at the site of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan
Afghan security forces keep watch at the site of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan December 18 ,2017. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani [Reuters]

Gunmen stormed a military training centre in the Afghan capital, Kabul, triggering clashes with police.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) claimed responsibility in a statement on its Amaq news agency.

ISIL claimed two of its fighters were involved, but reports said at least five fighters launched an attack at around 10am local time.

Police later killed the fighters.

The interior ministry confirmed Monday’s assault, which lasted several hours.

The attackers hid in a building under construction as they targeted the National Directorate of Security training facility, Afghan news outlet TOLOnews reported.

There was no immediate information on casualties.

The attack marks the latest in a wave of violence that has killed hundreds of civilians in Afghanistan in 2017.