KABUL, Afghanistan — In the cold Kabul morning on Monday, as snow slowly covered the ground, a father sat beside a roadside food stand and for hours kept his eyes on the security cordon for news of his son.

Before daybreak, militants had attacked an army unit attached to Afghanistan’s main military academy, where the son was studying to be an officer. In what has become a routine for many Afghan parents, with attacks in Kabul killing more than 130 people in 10 days, the father, Abuld Majid Nayel, left home in Parwan Province and drove an hour to the academy gates.

“They told us he is fine, but I have not talked to him,” Mr. Nayel said. “I will wait here until I know my son is fine.”

The attack, by five militants who appeared to have used a ladder to invade the compound in the predawn darkness, lasted nearly five hours before four were killed and the survivor was arrested. At least 11 Afghan soldiers were killed, and 16 were wounded.