Once again Taliban insurgents, using Humvee bombs, have attacked a military base – this time in Kandahar province
WEB TEAM
At least 43 Afghan soldiers were killed as the Taliban carried out two suicide car bombings at an army camp in Kandahar, setting off several hours of fighting.
Afghanistan’s ToloNews cited security officials saying at least 24 were wounded in the attack last night. It said the attack took place in the Afghan National Army base in Maiwand district in Kandahar province where 60 soldiers had been deployed.
One source said the attack took place after two suicide attackers with Humvee vehicles detonated their explosive-laden vehicles.
The source said other insurgents then stormed the base and security forces fired back. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a media statement.
Another source told TOLOnews that: “First one of the suicide bombers detonated his explosives with a Humvee vehicle and the other insurgents opened fire on security forces.”
“The base did not fall to the Taliban but while the clash was going on foreign troops carried out an airstrike which killed 10 Taliban insurgents.”
Gen. Abdul Raziq, provincial police chief of Kandahar has confirmed the attack on the base but did not provide further details.
The ministry of defense has not yet commented, however the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Wednesday night’s attack was one of a number of deadly incidents to hit the province in the past few months.
Included among a list of incidents, at least 26 Afghan soldiers were killed in July and 13 wounded in a Taliban attack on a military base in the Karzali area of Khakrez district.