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Afghan Forces Battle Taliban Militants Holding Hostages in Kandahar Afghan Forces Battle Taliban Militants Holding Hostages in Kandahar
(35 minutes later)
KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan security forces on Wednesday were still battling Taliban suicide bombers who had holed up overnight in buildings near the largest military base in the country’s south, officials said, as reports suggested that the insurgents had taken civilian families hostage. KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan security forces on Wednesday were still battling Taliban militants who had holed up overnight in buildings near the largest military base in the country’s south, officials said, as reports suggested that the insurgents had taken civilian families hostage.
Details about casualties and the number of attackers were still murky as the fighting entered its 18th hour near Kandahar Airfield, which is home to American military and C.I.A. operations in the south and is also used by the Afghan military.Details about casualties and the number of attackers were still murky as the fighting entered its 18th hour near Kandahar Airfield, which is home to American military and C.I.A. operations in the south and is also used by the Afghan military.
A Western official who had been briefed on the operation said at least 36 people had been killed, including civilians and members of the Afghan security forces. But Gen. Abdul Raziq Sherzai, the highest-ranking Afghan Air Force officer in Kandahar, said 10 people had been killed and 12 wounded.A Western official who had been briefed on the operation said at least 36 people had been killed, including civilians and members of the Afghan security forces. But Gen. Abdul Raziq Sherzai, the highest-ranking Afghan Air Force officer in Kandahar, said 10 people had been killed and 12 wounded.
Abdul Ali Shamsi, the deputy governor of Kandahar Province, said Afghan security forces were moving carefully to avoid civilian casualties, because the insurgents were holed up in a civilian area.Abdul Ali Shamsi, the deputy governor of Kandahar Province, said Afghan security forces were moving carefully to avoid civilian casualties, because the insurgents were holed up in a civilian area.
“The school building, and the teachers training building, has been cleared, but the operation is ongoing,” Mr. Shamsi said. “We fear there are casualties, including women and children.”“The school building, and the teachers training building, has been cleared, but the operation is ongoing,” Mr. Shamsi said. “We fear there are casualties, including women and children.”
Members of the Afghan security forces, using loudspeakers, were calling on the Taliban to free the hostages, said an Afghan Army officer at the airfield who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media. He said the hostages were believed to be shopkeepers or families living in residential buildings near the airfield. Another army officer said 25 shops had been destroyed in the fighting.Members of the Afghan security forces, using loudspeakers, were calling on the Taliban to free the hostages, said an Afghan Army officer at the airfield who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media. He said the hostages were believed to be shopkeepers or families living in residential buildings near the airfield. Another army officer said 25 shops had been destroyed in the fighting.
Col. Michael Lawhorn, a spokesman for the NATO mission in Afghanistan, said the insurgents had not made it onto Kandahar Airfield itself. He said that some rockets had been fired toward facilities used by American troops, but that no American service members had been wounded and no American planes had been damaged.Col. Michael Lawhorn, a spokesman for the NATO mission in Afghanistan, said the insurgents had not made it onto Kandahar Airfield itself. He said that some rockets had been fired toward facilities used by American troops, but that no American service members had been wounded and no American planes had been damaged.
Several suicide bombers stormed the buildings near the airfield around 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, barricading themselves into a residential and shopping area for the families of security forces, officials said. Several militants stormed the buildings near the airfield around 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, barricading themselves into a residential and shopping area for the families of security forces, officials said.
Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said the insurgents had sent 10 suicide bombers on the mission, wearing Afghan Army uniforms.Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said the insurgents had sent 10 suicide bombers on the mission, wearing Afghan Army uniforms.