Militants claim responsibility for attack on Kabul Airport
Iran Press TV
Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:56PM GMT
Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for a violent attack on the heavily-guarded Kabul International Airport which houses a major US-led military base.
A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its assailants targeted the northern portion of the airport, which includes a large military base that serves the NATO forces in the war-ravaged country.
The group also says several US-led soldiers were killed during the assault on the well-guarded airport.
The statement comes after militants took control of a nearby building and opened fire on the airport from there. All flights in and out of the airport were cancelled.
Afghan officials say security forces surrounded the building where the militants were holed up and gunned down all assailants in fierce fighting.
Separately, a bomber has detonated explosives in Zabul provincial capital, Qalat. At least six people are confirmed dead. Large explosions and gunfire rattled the Afghan capital Kabul and the southern province of Zabul.
Taliban militants have recently announced the start of their annual "spring offensive" against US-led and Afghan forces, vowing a new wave of attacks across Afghanistan.
Taliban said it would use "every possible tactic" to inflict casualties on Afghan and US-led forces.
The announcement prompted the Afghan authorities to beef up security in major cities across the country, including the capital city of Kabul.
The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of combating terrorism. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across the country despite the presence of thousands of US-led soldiers.
JR/SS
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