Over 50 killed in Taliban attack on army camp in Afghan city
Militants wearing uniforms storm base in MazareSharif city
NEW DELHI: More than 50 people were killed and dozens more injured when Taliban fighters disguised as soldiers stormed a corps headquarters of the Afghan National Army in Mazar-e-Sharif city on Friday, according to reports.
A US military spokesman was quoted by Reuters as saying that “dozens, probably more than 50 people”, were killed in the brazen attack on the military base. Other reports suggested that the death toll was more than 60 though the figure could not be independently confirmed.
Mazar-e-Sharif is among the four Afghan cities where India has consulates.
: More than 50 people were killed and dozens more injured when Taliban fighters disguised as soldiers stormed a corps headquarters of the Afghan National Army in Mazar-e-Sharif city on Friday, according to reports.
A US military spokesman was quoted by Reuters as saying that “dozens, probably more than 50 people”, were killed in the brazen attack on the military base. Other reports suggested that the death toll was more than 60 though the figure could not be independently confirmed.
Mazar-e-Sharif is among the four Afghan cities where India has consulates.
Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard in the vicinity of the headquarters of the 209th Shaheen Corps in the capital of northern Balkh province after the attack began at around 1.30pm Afghan time.
Reports said the attackers, who were in two security force vehicles and wearing army uniforms, managed to penetrate several layers of security and get past three checkpoints. The attackers targeted soldiers and officers at a dining hall and a mosque where Friday prayers were underway.
The attackers were holed up in the mosque till late afternoon. Army helicopters were seen hovering over the area, which was sealed off. Journalists were not allowed to move close to the site of the attack.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the attack and said the fighters set off an explosion, allowing suicide bombers to breach the base. “Our fighters have inflicted heavy casualties on the Afghan army stationed there,” he claimed.
Afghan defence ministry spokesman Daulat Waziri said the attackers entered the compound in military vehicles and began shooting as soldiers prayed in a mosque. An attacker wearing a suicide vest was killed by soldiers before his explosives could ignite, he said.
This was the second attack on a military facility in Afghanistan since last month. Terrorists disguised as medical personnel stormed a military hospital in the heart of Kabul in March and killed 50 people, including patients and staff.