Afghan Govt Confirms 37 Dead in Taliban Attack on Kandahar Airport

The Defence Ministry also added that some claims could not be verified as they might been an exaggeration.

Civilians wait as Afghan security forces guard the main gate of Kandahar civilian airport. (Photo: AP)

A Taliban assault on an airport in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed 37 people, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. The attack had been under way for nearly 24 hours.

A ministry statement said another 35 people have been wounded in the assault, which began on Tuesday. It said nine attackers have been killed and one wounded. It said one attacker was still battling security forces.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said the insurgents were still attacking Afghan forces and had killed many soldiers and destroyed vehicles and helicopters. The claim could not be verified, and the Taliban often exaggerate battlefield victories.

The Taliban have expanded their footprint across the country in recent months, and in September captured and held the northern city of Kunduz for three days. Afghan forces have struggled to roll back the insurgents since the US and NATO formally concluded their combat mission at the end of last year.