In Afghanistan, the death toll in yesterday’s Taliban attack on an army base near Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh province has risen to more than 130. Most of them are Government soldiers. At least 10 Taliban militants were killed in the fighting and one attacker was detained.
Fighting lasted for several hours yesterday near the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Balkh province. The army said, insurgents targeted those leaving Friday prayers at the base’s mosque and others in a canteen.
A military spokesman said, the Taliban fighters wore army uniforms and drove through military checkpoints before launching the raid. He said, the death toll could rise further.
The Taliban said in a statement that the attack was retribution for the recent killing of several Taliban leaders in northern Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the terror attack. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, it is a cowardly terror attack. He said, India prays and offers condolences to the families who lost loved ones.
