Kabul [Afghanistan]: Four Taliban attackers who launched a series of rocket attack close to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul city have been killed, but reportedly heavy clashes are still ongoing in the area.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior said four attackers – two attackers detonated suicide vests while the other two were gunned down by security forces, the Tolo News reported.
The MoI further said security forces are carrying out controlled detonation of the explosive devices found.
According to officials, at least one mortar, an RPG and several explosive devices including two suicide vests were recovered from the house.
Reportedly, 30 and 45 rockets landed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the center of Kabul in which at least one civilian has died.
The airport was evacuated and all flights were cancelled. The rocket attack came during the unannounced visit of the United States Defence Secretary in Kabul.
Hamid Karzai International Airport is located 5 km from the city center of Kabul. It serves as one of the country’s largest military bases, used by the United States Armed Forces and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
The military of Afghanistan also has a base there, while the Afghan National Police provide security inside the passenger terminals.
No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks yet.
US Defence Secretary James Mattis is in Afghanistan to hold talks with the Afghan President and other Afghan government ministers. Later, he will hold a press conference with Ghani and the NATO chief.
Mattis’ unannounced visit to Afghanistan, after his two-day trip in India, assumes significance as United States President Donald Trump said that he would rely on greater regional cooperation to stabilise the security situation in Afghanistan. (ANI)