This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35043938

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Afghan Taliban attack on Kandahar airport 'repelled' Afghan Taliban kill dozens at Kandahar airport
(about 1 hour 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. Dozens of people have been killed in a Taliban attack on a heavily fortified civilian and military airfield in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
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 defence ministry said that at least 37 people, including many children, had been killed in the clashes. At least nine militants were also killed.
The attack began on Tuesday evening and several hostages were seized. A number of hostages were seized in the 26-hour attack before Afghan forces retook the airport.
Final "mopping up operations" are now under way, military officials say. Final "mopping up operations" were now under way, military officials said.
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 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. The defence ministry statement said that a total of 11 insurgents took part in the attack. As well as nine killed, another was injured. Reports said a final gunman held out on his own for several hours before being killed late on Wednesday evening.
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. Kandahar security officials put the number of attackers at 12, all of whom had been killed.
At least 35 people were injured in the attack, the defence ministry said.
The raid was the latest in a series of battlefield victories 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.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. Tolo News TV said the insurgents were dressed in military uniform and were equipped with light and heavy weaponry. It has reported that 14 insurgents were killed.
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.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.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 violence came as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called for help to defeat terrorism, at a regional conference in Pakistan.
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.