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Afghan Taliban attack on Kandahar airport 'repelled' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
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. | |
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 initially managed to breach the first gate of the complex. | |
Tolo News TV said that the insurgents were dressed in military uniform and were equipped with light and heavy weaponry. | |
The Afghan defence ministry said at least 35 people were injured in the attack. | |
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. | |
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). |
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. |
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. |