Pakistan strongly condemned the attack on Kandahar Airport.
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Afghan security personel stand guard near the airport complex in Kandahar on December 9, 2015.
The attack on the sprawling complex, which also houses a joint NATO-Afghan base, is the second major assault in the space of 24 hours in the city recognised as the birthplace of the Taliban.
The Taliban appear to be ramping up attacks on government and foreign targets despite the onset of the harsh winter season, when the fighting usually winds down. Kunduz was the first provincial capital to fall into the hands of the Taliban since the militant group was removed from power by the US military in 2001. The commanders spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
The main objective of the Process is to foster efforts for regional cooperation and connectivity with a view to promoting long-term peace and stability as well as progress and development in Afghanistan, and the region.
Khan said that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation helicopters and aircraft were targeting the school building, and that Afghan commandos also were fighting.
Bulgarian troops have been deployed to Afghanistan in the past thirteen years for participation in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and its successor the Resolute Support mission.
Taliban fighters dressed in military uniforms stormed the airport early on Tuesday evening from two directions, security officials said, taking over a number of buildings and firing rockets at the runway.
Earlier, the Taliban said in a statement 150 soldiers had been killed but the militants often made exaggerated casualty claims in the past.
Rauf Ahmadi, spokesman for the provincial police chief, said the infighting between the Taliban erupted on Monday in the Zerko area and that about 30 fighters from both sides were also wounded.
The siege took place as Taliban jihadists attempted to fight their way onto a military base adjacent to the airport. “No real victories can be won and sustained when Afghans are fighting Afghans”, said Sampler, quoting Blinken.
In a statement, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their forces had managed to stage a “thunderous attack” on foreign personnel.
Last month, a breakaway faction of the Taliban elected its own leader, Mullah Mohammed Rasool Akhund, sparking speculation over the unity of the group.
A military commander said radio intercepts showed some assailants were speaking Urdu, a language more common in neighbouring Pakistan, the Taliban’s historic backer.
He said at least 18 members of the security forces and civilians had been killed and 11 wounded, including two women.
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Afghan officials, for their part, say at least nine of the 14 attackers were killed in the fighting, which, they said, had gone on for more than 10 hours.
