LOC13:07
10:07 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- At least 43 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed and dozen others injured in a suicide attack targeting a military base in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, Afghan defense officials said Thursday.
A statement issued by Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that at least 43 Afghan troops were killed when Taliban rebels stormed a military base early on Thursday in Maiwand district of Kandahar.
Of 60 soldiers manning the base, 43 were killed, nine were wounded and six were missing after Taliban "militants" stormed the base, said the ministry.
A suicide bomber reportedly detonated his explosives with a Humvee vehicle and number of other insurgents opened fire on security forces initiating a gun battle that lasted for several hours.
The clash also left at least 10 Taliban rebels dead.
The assailants fled after reinforcements arrived at the scene.
Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri confirming the attack said that a team had launched investigations into the attack.
According to local media, Taliban rebels have claimed responsibility of the attack saying that heavy casualties have been inflicted on Afghan troops where a whole ANA battalion had been made hostage.
Last Tuesday, a wave of Taliban suicide attacks targeting police compounds and government facilities has killed at least 71 people including 46 security personnel in southeastern Paktia and southern Ghazni provinces. (end)
sbk.mb