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Afghan Taliban attack on Kandahar 'leaves 46 dead' Afghan Taliban attack on Kandahar airport 'repelled'
(about 2 hours later)
At least 46 security personnel, Taliban fighters and civilians have been killed in clashes in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, officials say. A Taliban attack on a heavily fortified civilian and military airfield in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has been repelled, the Afghan army says.
Several people were also taken hostage in the Taliban assault on Kandahar airport, which began on Tuesday. The defence ministry says that 37 civilians, including many children, were killed in the attack. The Tolo news agency reported that 14 militants were also killed.
The attack began on Tuesday evening and several hostages were seized.
Final "mopping up operations" are now under way, military officials say.
The Taliban said a number of suicide fighters managed to enter the base with weapons. They said "martyrdom seekers" had launched "thunderous attacks on foreign and hireling personnel".
The attack is the latest in a series of ambitious assaults by the Taliban, who briefly seized the northern city of Kunduz in September.
BBC South Asia Editor Joanna Jolly says the attack is the latest in a series of ambitious assaults by the Taliban, who briefly seized the northern city of Kunduz in September.
The airport compound houses Afghan military and civilian sections as well as a Nato base.The airport compound houses Afghan military and civilian sections as well as a Nato base.
Officials said the attackers had managed to breach the first gate of the complex. Officials said the attackers initially managed to breach the first gate of the complex.
Local security officials and Afghanistan's Tolo News TV are now reporting the fighting has ended. All flights have been cancelled. Tolo News TV said that the insurgents were dressed in military uniform and were equipped with light and heavy weaponry.
The Taliban said it carried out the attack at the heavily fortified site. The Afghan defence ministry said at least 35 people were injured in the attack.
The Afghan defence ministry said 37 civilians and members of the security forces had been killed, along with nine Taliban. A further 35 people were injured, it said. A doctor at a military hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the BBC that a number of bodies had been received, including those of four soldiers. The hostages were believed to include women and small children.
A doctor at a military hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the BBC 41 bodies had been received, including four soldiers. The hostages are believed to include women and small children.
Correspondents say the attack is a huge security failure because the attackers were able to smuggle weapons into an area supposed to have been made secure by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).Correspondents say the attack is a huge security failure because the attackers were able to smuggle weapons into an area supposed to have been made secure by the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).
The Taliban said "martyrdom seekers" entered the airbase undetected to begin a "thunderous attacks on foreign and hireling personnel".
Kandahar army commander Sher Shah told reporters that radio intercepts had found that some militants were speaking in Urdu - a language more common in neighbouring Pakistan. Afghan officials frequently blame Pakistan for unrest.Kandahar army commander Sher Shah told reporters that radio intercepts had found that some militants were speaking in Urdu - a language more common in neighbouring Pakistan. Afghan officials frequently blame Pakistan for unrest.
A statement by the Taliban claimed that they had killed up to 80 soldiers. This figure could not be verified. The statement by the Taliban claimed that they had killed up to 80 soldiers. This figure could not be verified.
Kandahar airport director Ahmadullah Faizi told AFP news agency that some passengers waiting to board a commercial flight to India had been trapped inside the airport's civilian terminal, at some distance from the fighting, during the attack.Kandahar airport director Ahmadullah Faizi told AFP news agency that some passengers waiting to board a commercial flight to India had been trapped inside the airport's civilian terminal, at some distance from the fighting, during the attack.
Separately, the Taliban claimed to have captured Khanashin district in southern Helmand province.Separately, the Taliban claimed to have captured Khanashin district in southern Helmand province.
A local official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the district had fallen.A local official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the district had fallen.
Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most Nato and US forces last year.Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most Nato and US forces last year.
The latest incidents come as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visits Pakistan for a regional conference attended by Pakistan, India and the US.The latest incidents come as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visits Pakistan for a regional conference attended by Pakistan, India and the US.
Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, speaking at the conference, called on Pakistan to help restart stalled peace talks with the Taliban.Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, speaking at the conference, called on Pakistan to help restart stalled peace talks with the Taliban.
In recent months the Taliban has seen a series of battlefield victories, including briefly capturing the northern city of Kunduz.