Afghan Army Base: Death Toll In Taliban Attack Passes 130

The number killed in a Taliban attack on an Afghan army base has risen to more than 130, most of them government soldiers.


Fighting lasted for several hours on Friday near the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Balkh province.

Insurgents targeted those leaving Friday prayers at the base's mosque and others in a canteen, the army said.

The Taliban said in a statement they had carried out the attack, using suicide bombers to breach defences.



A local source told the BBC the death toll could rise further.

At least 10 Taliban militants were killed in the fighting and one attacker was detained.

The Taliban fighters wore army uniforms and drove through military checkpoints before launching the raid, a military spokesman said.