On 24 August 2016, attackers who are suspected members of the Taliban stormed the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan, using a car bomb and automatic weapons. Thirteen people were killed, including seven university students, one policeman, three security guards at the university, a university professor (Naqib Ahmad Khpulwak) & Faculty of Computer Science (Omer Farooq Hazarbuz) was badly injured.^[1] Fifty to at least 53 people were injured, some critically. Three of the attackers were killed by Afghan Special Forces. This was the first direct attack on the university, although two professors were kidnapped just outside the university a few weeks earlier.^[2]

Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...

American University of Afghanistan attack
Part of the War in Afghanistan
The American University of Afghanistan
Location	American University of Afghanistan, Kabul, Kabul Province, Afghanistan
Coordinates	34°28′32″N 69°7′34″W
Date	24 August 2016 (2016-08-24) Approximately 7:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. (UTC+04:30)
Target	University students & workers
Attack type	Car bombings, mass shootings, school shooting
Weapons	Truck bomb, guns
Deaths	17 (+3 attackers)
Injured	53+
Defenders	Security guards at the university and nearby educational institutions Policemen Afghan Special Forces assisted by the International Security Assistance Force

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Afghanistan had been experiencing a significant amount of terror attacks during the War in Afghanistan, including the large July 2016 Kabul bombing. In the past, incidents related to employees at the American University of Afghanistan include a terror attack on a restaurant in which around 21 people were killed, including two AUAF employees,^[3] and a kidnapping of two foreign professors by men dressed in Afghan National Police uniforms on August 7.^[4][5][6] American special forces later failed in an operation to try and rescue them.^[7]

The American University of Afghanistan was chartered in 2004 and established in 2006. It is an "Independent, self-governing, not-for-profit university operating on the US liberal arts model". Founded by Dr. Sharif Fayez, it is Afghanistan's "top institution for higher education", with many foreign employees, and is supported in part by prominent U.S. politicians.^[8]

The attack began at 19:03 during the evening classes at the university, when around 700 students were in attendance. The university was surrounded by a fortified wall. A truck filled with explosives was driven up to the wall and blown up, leaving a large hole in the wall. Two assailants then entered the compound, prompting employees and students to panic while fleeing and hiding. A nearly ten-hour-long siege then ensued, which lasted overnight. Hundreds of trapped students "pleaded for help" as an explosion followed gunshots, some sending messages on Twitter. Students used furniture in the classroom to barricade doors, with others making a "mad scramble to escape through windows" while pushing each other out, some from dangerous heights.

Afghan National Army troops belonging to an elite unit led operations to secure the campus while exchanging gunfire with the assailants. United States led military coalition foreign troops assisted in the operations, including mentors from the Norwegian Special forces group Marinejegerkommandoen^[9] to rescue the 200 students trapped inside the school. Associated Press and Agence France-Presse photographer Massoud Hossaini was stuck and wounded inside the university and tweeted updates, along with other reporters such as CBS producer Ahmad Mukhtar.^[10][11]

During the chaos, seven university students, one policeman, three security guards at the university, and one university professor were killed. A guard from a neighboring vocational school for visually impaired people was also killed. Most people were killed from bullets that traveled through windows. At least 50 to at least 53 people were also injured.^[12]

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement regarding the Kabul attack, describing it as a tragic assault on a symbol of hope and progress, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. ^[13]

No organization has acknowledged responsibility for the assault, which occurred as the Taliban intensified their summer campaign against the Kabul administration. ^[14]

Friends of the victims of Afghanistan's American University attack expressed heartbreak on Facebook.^[15]

An attack, led by a group of three insurgents, against the American University in Kabul ended Thursday, killing seven students along with the attackers, three guards, and three police officers and wounding almost 50 people, the police told EFE.^[16]

The United States Institute of Peace mourns our friend and colleague Naqib Khpulwak, who was killed in the attack on the American University of Afghanistan on the night of Aug. 24-25. His death is a terrible loss. In addition to teaching at the university, Naqib was a cornerstone of USIP’s rule of law initiatives in Afghanistan. Since coming to USIP in July 2015, he brought unparalleled insight to our programming, and a true strategic vision for what we could, and should, accomplish in our mission as peacebuilders.^[17]

The United States Institute of Peace is deeply saddened by the loss of our esteemed colleague, Naqib Khpulwak, who tragically lost his life in the recent attack on the American University of Afghanistan. Naqib was not only a dedicated teacher at the university but also played a pivotal role in our rule of law initiatives in Afghanistan. His insights and strategic vision greatly enriched our efforts as peacebuilders since he joined USIP in 2015.^[18]

Naqib, a proud graduate of a university in Afghanistan, furthered his education with a Fulbright scholarship at Old Dominion University and as a visiting scholar at Stanford University Law School. He was highly regarded in the Afghan legal community and deeply committed to his students. Naqib's thirst for knowledge was evident as he was preparing for further studies at Oxford University.^[19]

At USIP, Naqib was instrumental in managing the rule of law projects in Afghanistan, focusing on strengthening civil society organizations' capacity to engage with community courts and advocate on constitutional matters. His dedication to promoting peace in Afghanistan was unwavering, as he tirelessly worked to rebuild his war-torn country and address the scars left by the conflict.^[20]

Beyond his professional endeavors, Naqib was a beloved son, brother, and friend, who enjoyed reading, following cricket, and spending time with his family. His tragic loss, along with others in the same attack, is a stark reminder of the challenges faced in conflict zones. Our thoughts are with Naqib's family, friends, and all affected by this senseless violence. We are committed to supporting Naqib's family and our colleagues in Afghanistan while honoring his legacy and sacrifice. Naqib's passing serves as a testament to the courage of our staff and partners working tirelessly to resolve conflicts peacefully in some of the world's most volatile regions.^[21]

The Taliban was suspected to be behind the attack but has not yet claimed responsibility. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is also a suspect.^[22]

Laura Bush, a major supporter of the university, denounced the attack along with the U.S. State Department and offered her condolences. She also issued a statement.^[23]

The American University of Afghanistan temporarily closed indefinitely "in the wake of the despicable terrorist attack on the university". University President Mark English was interviewed on the American National Public Radio. The university also issued a statement:

“American University of Afghanistan is dedicated to its educational mission in service to Afghanistan and has no intention of giving in to terror. As our faculty member Naqib Ahmad Khpulwak, who was killed in this attack, had said, those who care about the future of Afghanistan cannot back down to insurgents and criminals who threaten a future of possibility. Our firm resolve is to move forward,”

— American University of Afghanistan, University World News^[24]

AUAF English professor Raj Chandarlapaty reflected on the challenging plight of the university:

“There are no easy answers for them. They have the philosophy, ‘We’re not going to surrender, we’re not going to give in to terrorism.’”^[25]

The university reopened in March 2017.^[26]

• List of terrorist incidents in August 2016
• July 2016 Kabul bombing
• September 2016 Kabul bombing
• List of terrorist attacks in Kabul