KANDAHAR CITY (SW): At least 46 people have been reported dead and many more wounded in a Taliban attack on Kandahar Airport that has entered second day on Wednesday.
Naeem Lalay, a Wolesi Jirga (lower house) member for southern Kandahar province has claimed the ongoing attack has claimed 46 lives. Lalay told this to the house on Wednesday. The Taliban attacked Kandahar Airport on Tuesday evening and exchange of fire was still on till Wednesday evening.
Samim Khpalwak, spokesman for Kandahar Governor however, claimed the casualty figure was much lower than what Naeem Lalay has reported. He told Salam Watandar on telephone that one Afghan National Army (ANA) man and nince civilians including four attackers have died in the fighting so far.
Earlier, Zia Durani, spokesman for Kandahar police told Salam Watandar, two attackers entered a school near the airport and started shooting at the Afghan National Army (ANA) check posts at the Airport. On Wednesday morning, he said, the security forces have cordon off the area and clean-up operation was underway.
In the surroundings of the airport are the basis of the ANA, Afghan Border Force (ABF) and residential compounds of the foreign troops. One other source told Salam Watandar that the armed attackers have targeted residence of an ANA officer. According to him, the first priority of the security forces was to save the family of the officer.
The passengers, who were inside the airport remain stranded and are not allowed to leave the airport.
Taliban have accepted responsibility for the attack. In a message to media, Taliban have issued pictures of those 10 attackers that wore ANA uniforms and are still busy fighting with the government forces. Qari Yousouf Ahmadi, Taliban spokesman has claimed a number of ANA men and foreign troops have been killed in this attack. His claim has been rejected by the authorities.
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