The Islamic State jihadist group on Wednesday took credit for an assault on a hospital in the Afghan capital Kabul, reporting that at least 100 people had been killed.
"The preliminary death-toll is 100 while clashes are continuing inside the hospital," IS said in a statement issued by its Amaq News agency.
A spokesman for Afghanistan's public health ministry said at least three people had been killed in the attack and more than 60 wounded had been taken to other hospitals.
The assault began when a suicide-bomber blew himself up at the rear of the 400-bed hospital. Three attackers then entered the complex dressed as doctors, opening fire on patients and staff with automatic weapons and detonating hand grenades, according to eye-witnesses.
Afghan soldiers battled the gunmen inside the hospital floor by floor while military helicopters circled above the area, which was surrounded by security forces.
At least one attacker died in a gun battle with Afghan special forces while one soldier was killed and three wounded, according to a defence ministry spokesman.
The Taliban denied any role in Wednesday's attack despite claiming complex series of suicide attacks a week ago in Kabul that killed 16 people.
IS has been active in Afghanistan since 2015 and has staged several high-profile attacks on civilians in Kabul over the past year, including against a number of prominent Shia targets.
