Afghan army base attack toll 140: India says time to dismantle terror havens

As many as 140 Afghan soldiers were killed and wounded in a coordinated attack by Taliban attackers on the army base near the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Friday.

India on Saturday strongly condemned the terror attack on an army base in northern Afghanistan, saying it is a stark reminder of the need to immediately dismantle safe havens sustaining terrorism from outside that country’s borders.

Over 100 soldiers were in an attack by Taliban attackers on an army headquarters in Mazar-i-Sharif, northern Afghanistan on April 21.(AFP Photo)

The external affairs ministry, in a statement, said India remained steadfast in its support to Afghanistan in fighting all forms of terrorism.

As many as 140 Afghan soldiers were killed and wounded in a coordinated attack by Taliban attackers on the army base near the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif on Friday.

“The terrorist attack is a stark reminder of the need to immediately dismantle the safe havens and sanctuaries that support and sustain terrorism in Afghanistan from outside its borders,” the MEA said, in an apparent reference to the terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

It said the government and the people of India extend their deepest condolences and stand with the government and people of Afghanistan at this difficult moment.

“India remains steadfast in its support to Afghanistan in fighting all forms of terrorism and bringing perpetrators of terrorist violence to justice, wherever they maybe,” the statement said.

One official in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, where the attack occurred, said on Saturday that at least 140 soldiers were killed and many others wounded. Other officials said the toll was likely to be even higher.

The Afghan government has yet to release official casualty figures.