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-39672357
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Dozens of Afghan troops dead in Taliban base attack | Dozens of Afghan troops dead in Taliban base attack |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The Afghan army has ended a Taliban attack on one of its bases that killed at least 70 soldiers, according to military officials. | |
Fighting lasted several hours in the northern Balkh province. | |
An army spokesman said the insurgents targeted those leaving Friday prayers at the base's mosque, as well as others in a canteen. | |
The Taliban claimed the attack in a statement, and said they used suicide bombers to breach the defences. | |
At least 10 Taliban militants were killed in the fighting at the military headquarters in the town of Mazar-e-Sharif. | |
One assailant has been detained, according to AFP news agency. | |
The Taliban fighters wore army uniforms and drove through military checkpoints before launching the raid, a military spokesman said. | The Taliban fighters wore army uniforms and drove through military checkpoints before launching the raid, a military spokesman said. |
US military spokesman John Thomas described the attack as a "significant" strike, but he praised the Afghan commandos for bringing the "atrocity to an end". | |
The base at Mazar-e-Sharif is home to the Afghan National Army's 209th Corps, responsible for providing security to most of northern Afghanistan, including Kunduz province - which has seen heavy recent fighting. | The base at Mazar-e-Sharif is home to the Afghan National Army's 209th Corps, responsible for providing security to most of northern Afghanistan, including Kunduz province - which has seen heavy recent fighting. |
Several German and other foreign soldiers are reported to be garrisoned there. | Several German and other foreign soldiers are reported to be garrisoned there. |
Last month about 50 people were reported to have died when militants believed to be from the group known as Islamic State targeted patients and staff at a military hospital in Kabul with guns, grenades and knives. | Last month about 50 people were reported to have died when militants believed to be from the group known as Islamic State targeted patients and staff at a military hospital in Kabul with guns, grenades and knives. |
Also in March the Taliban said they had captured the crucial south Afghan district of Sangin after a year-long battle. | Also in March the Taliban said they had captured the crucial south Afghan district of Sangin after a year-long battle. |