Afghan forces clash with militants for 2nd day

Afghan forces clash with militants for 2nd day
(AP) – 4 hours ago

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan security forces clashed with militants in Kandahar for a second day on Sunday after the Taliban unleashed a major assault on government buildings in the southern city, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.

Zemeri Bashary said a fire fight broke out when security forces began an operation to clear the city's Kandahar Hotel, located next to the intelligence agency headquarters and a police station. He did not know how many insurgents were holed up in the hotel, which had been used to stage Saturday's daylong attacks against the two buildings. Troops were being cautious because most of the insurgents were believed to be wearing suicide vests, he said.

NATO troops and helicopters could be seen supporting Afghan forces in the clash.

Fighting had stopped overnight after Afghan forces had secured the government buildings which had been attacked, Bashary said, although sporadic gunshots and explosions could be heard around the city.

So far, he said a total of 23 attackers had been killed as well as two members of the security forces. Another 40 people were wounded. Of the dead attackers, eight detonated their suicide vests. Security forces captured four of the attackers, Bashary added.