Abb Takk News
MOST POPULAR News Ticker Top News TRENDING World

Taliban attack on Afghan army base: Death toll rises to 140

KABUL: The death toll has been climbed to 140 in Taliban attack on a key military base in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province.

At least 11 Taliban assailants were also killed in the attack, claimed local officials. According to the local media, gunmen wearing Afghan army uniform, in two military vehicles launched the assault on the army compound in Balkh province. Sources said that the attackers told guards at the base gate that they were carrying wounded soldiers and urgently needed to get in. When they were stopped at the second gate, one of the attackers blew himself up and the rest entered in the base.

The base is the headquarter for the Afghan army’s 209th Corps and number of foreign soldiers are also based there as part of NATO-led mission to train Afghan security forces.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the assault and said, ” Our fighters have inflicted heavy causalities on the Afghan army stationed there.”

NATO Resolute Support Mission Commander General John Nicholson said,” The attack on 209th Corps today shows the barbaric nature of the Taliban. They killed soldiers at prayer in a mosque and others in a dining facility.”

He condemned the attack and said, ” The Afghan National Defence and security forces and the people of Afghanistan have my personal assurance that we will continue to stand with them. We support our valuable friends and partners in the fight against terrorism.”