At least 37 people were killed Tuesday evening when Taliban insurgents disguised in military uniforms stormed Kandahar airport in Afghanistan, triggering a lengthy siege led by local military in an effort to reclaim the airfield, which also houses a joint NATO-Afghan base and civilian sections.
Witnesses report that fighting took place around 6:00 p.m. when gunmen first opened fire at a bazaar near the airport, intensified over the night, reported AFP. The assailants also took some families hostage, using them as "human shields" after storming the complex as an attempt to slow down the military's advance.
Militants managed to breach the first gate of the military-civilian complex and took up position in an old school building, using that to engage approaching military forces. The siege lasted for 26 hours until Wednesday evening. By its end, 37 people including children, were killed, and 35 people were injured, according to CNN.
Since they were disguised, it wasn't clear who launched the attack. However, the Taliban soon claimed responsibility for the assault, posting a picture on their website of 10 young men with trimmed beards, Kalashnikovs (AK-47s) and matching military uniforms. Referring to the assailants as "martyrdom seekers," the post said they launched "thunderous attacks on foreign and hireling personnel," according to the BBC.
They also gave a grossly exaggerated death toll saying that the assailants reported over telephone as having killed around 80 Afghan and foreign forces, and destroying 13 armoured carriers.
The raid, seen as the most serious attack on Kandahar installation, coincides with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's visit to Islamabad, Pakistan for the Heart of Asia conference aimed at reviving peace talks in the region.
"It has become a familiar pattern. Whenever there is talk about peace talks, the Taliban launch big attacks," said Kabul-based military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhil. "It shows that either they want to scuttle efforts towards talks or want big concessions before they reach the negotiating table."
