OSINT REPORT
9th December 2015, at least eight have reportedly been killed in an attack orchestrated by Taliban militants at an airbase in Kandahar city, Afghanistan.
Spokesman for the Governor of Kandahar province Sameem Khpalwak confirmed the attacks and deaths amid a conference kick off in Pakistan intended to cease fire with insurgents.
Initial report indicate that at least eight were killed among them soldiers and civilian but the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed as the area had yet to be secured.
Several suicide bombers in guise of Afghan soldiers penetrated the airports base security and heavy gunfight ensued until 11 pm according to a senior Afghan army officer at the base.
At least 15 other were injured in the shoot-out especially the civilian shop owners who were caught by the battle.
The Kandahar airfield is the most important government base in southern Afghanistan, and is home to U.S. military and CIA operations in the region thus a prone target of the militants.
According Khpalwak, Taliban gunmen were targeting residential blocks housing government employees and the joint Afghan-NATO military base at the airport.
Later after the battle a pro-Taliban website reported that “a number of martyrdom seekers armed with heavy and light weapons entered Kandahar air base undetected” and attacked “invaders and hirelings.”
Another Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, on Twitter allegedly claimed that “150 Afghan and foreign soldiers” had been killed in the fierce fighting.
The insurgents are regularly known to exaggerate warfare propaganda battlefield claims.
