- More than 100 Afghan soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack on an army base in northern Afghanistan
- The fight lasted for several hours near the city of Mazar-e Sharif in northern Balkh province
- The insurgents targeted those leaving Friday prayers at the base’s mosque, as well as others in a canteen
More than 100 Afghan soldiers were killed or wounded in a Taliban attack on an army base on Friday, April 21, the defence ministry has confirmed.
BBC reports that the fighting lasted for several hours near the city of Mazar-e Sharif in northern Balkh province.
NAIJ.com gathered that the insurgents targeted those leaving Friday prayers at the base's mosque and others in a canteen.
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Afghan troops gathered outside the base near Mazar-e-Sharif
The Taliban said in a statement they had carried out the attack, using bombers to breach defences.
Earlier estimates put the death toll as high as 134, but a statement from the defence ministry on Saturday, April 22, confirmed more than 100 soldiers had been "killed or injured" but a security official in Mazar-e Sharif told the BBC that more than 100 had died, including a top military commander.
At least 10 Taliban militants were killed in the fight and one attacker was detained.
A military spokesman said the Taliban fighters wore army uniforms and drove through military checkpoints before launching the raid.
Relatives of some of the soldiers gathered outside the base to take possession of coffins. They all questioned the security measures in place at the main entrance.
Jan Agah, whose nephews were serving at the base died and another injured in the attack, said "If strict inspections had taken place, the attackers would not have passed the first gate."
About 100 soldiers, including a top military commander were killed in a Taliban attack on an army base
The base at Mazar-e-Sharif is home to the Afghan National Army's 209th Corps, responsible for providing security to most of northern Afghanistan, including Kunduz province - which has seen heavy recent fighting.
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Several German and other foreign soldiers are reported to be garrisoned there.
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