7 Taliban Fighters Killed In Failed Attack

[News_Editor]

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A group of Taliban insurgents launched a coordinated attack Monday against Afghanistan's main international airport in the capital Kabul, but all attackers were killed without casualties among civilians or security forces, the city's police chief said.

The attack began at around 4:30 a.m. local time when seven insurgents wearing suicide vests seized a building under construction near Kabul International Airport, after which they opened fire against security forces and nearby buildings with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said the attackers were quickly surrounded by police, after which a firefight ensued which continued for more than 4.5 hours. He said the quick response by Afghan security forces demonstrates the increasing capacity and professionalism of the forces.

"The situation is resolved. All insurgents are now dead, five [were] killed in battle [and the] last two blew themselves up," Kabul police chief General Mohammed Ayub Salangi said. "Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) continue to clear the building. Five suicide vests and weapons have been recovered."

There were no casualties among civilians or security forces, although two civilians were said to have been injured.

Captain Luca Carniel, a spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said none of its service members were injured and no ISAF facilities at or near the airport were damaged. "The Afghan National Police lead the operation with ISAF advisors in a mentoring role only," he added.

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