Militants attacked a maternity hospital in Kabul on Tuesday, killing 16 people, including two newborn babies and their mothers. And in eastern Khost province, a bomb planted in a cart in a market killed a child and wounded 10 people.

The Pentagon declined comment on Ghani's stated intent to restart offensive operations, saying only that the USA military continued to reserve the right to defend Afghan security forces if they are attacked by the Taliban. Mr. Mukerji, who served as Indian envoy to the United Nations (2013-2015), said if talks with the Taliban were offered, then they would have to be on New Delhi's terms, including Taliban commitments on India's strategic projects, and Chabahar port, as well as the safety of minorities, women's education, and most of all on terrorism, where no Afghan soil could be used by anti-India groups.

Has this dampened the prospect of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban?

"I'm shocked and saddened by the horrific attack on a hospital that was providing care and support to mothers and babies in Kabul", said Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

Interior and health ministry officials said mothers, nurses and children were among the dead and wounded. They shot dead at least 14 civilians, including two newborn babies, according to Interior Ministry spokesperson Tariq Arian.

The Pentagon declined to comment on Ghani's stated intent to restart offensive operations, saying only that the U.S. military continued to reserve the right to defend Afghan security forces if they are attacked by the Taliban.

Security forces said they had killed the attackers by the afternoon.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack.

The gunmen targeted the hospital's maternity ward, run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

The Taliban, the main militant group, has denied involvement in both attacks, although trust among officials and the broader public has worn thin.

The Taliban signed a deal with the United States on February 29, which was meant to pave the way for a peace deal with the government in Kabul.

MSF Afghanistan tweeted confirmation that the hospital was under attack, writing: "The Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital in Kabul, where @MSF runs the maternity, was attacked".

The Taliban has denied responsibility for the attacks.

Two other attacks struck Afghanistan on Tuesday. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the country Toby Lanzer he was "outraged" by the attack on the Sad Bistar Hospital, a 100-bed facility, which was full of patients and medical staff when the assault took place.

"He reiterates that attacks against civilians are unacceptable and that hospitals, medical facilities and personnel have special protection under global humanitarian law".

Ghani ordered the military to resume operations against the Taliban in a televised speech Tuesday night, citing increased levels of violence by the insurgent group.