Taliban attacks Kandahar airport, 70 reported dead, hostages taken
The Taliban have launched a major attack in the south of Afghanistan against the joint military compound at Kandahar airport, which houses Afghan, US and NATO personnel. While government sources talk of 37 dead and 35 injured, local hospitals are putting the number of dead at over 70 including women and children, as terrorists targeted the housing area within the airport grounds. There are also reports that some hostages are still being held by Taliban fighters. Meanwhile in the western province of Herat, fighting continues between rival Taliban fighters, with over fifty reported dead in the latest outbreak of in-fighting this week. Earlier this week, the US put all personnel on heightened alert for a major taliban attack.

Over 50 Taliban insurgents have died and as much others have sustained injuries as clashes have intensified among the supporters of Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor and dissident Taliban leader MULLAH Rasool.

According to local government officials the incident took place in Zer Koh area of Shindand district and clashes still continue between the two sides.

Provincial governor spokesman Ehsanullah Hayat said clashes erupted early on Monday morning but intensified on Tuesday.

Hayat confirmed over 50 militants have been killed so far and around 50 others have been wounded.

Another security official said scores of militants from the neighbouring provinces have poured into Shindand to support militants engaged in the ongoing fight.

According to reports Raz Mohammad Nangialy is leading the war in favor of Mullah Rasool while Mullah Abdul Samad is fighting in favour of Mullah Mansoor’.

The Taliban group has not commented regarding the ongoing clash so far.

Herat is among the relatively peaceful provinces in Western Afghanistan however the anti-government armed militant groups have recently increased their ins urgency activities in a number of its districts, specifically those located in remote parts of it.

Mullah Mansoor assumed charge of the Taliban group in July this year following the announcement of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar’s death.

His controversial appointment as new Taliban supreme leader led to widening rift among the Taliban leaders who are often entering into deadly clash.

In the latest incident, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was reportedly wounded after a gun battle among Taliban fighters in Pakistan with reports even suggesting Mullah Mansoor has died.