Kandahar airport attack: Gun battle ongoing, death toll reaches 18

At least 18 people have been killed after the attack on Afghanistan's Kandahar airport as a gun battle between Taliban insurgents and security forces is still ongoing.

According to TOLONews, an Afghan National Army commander in the city said that 11 people have been injured since the attack that took place early Tuesday evening when 14 insurgents stormed the complex wearing security force uniforms.

He said five insurgents are still embroiled in a gun battle with security forces.

The army commander said that both civilians and security force members are among the dead.

Spokesman for the Kandahar Governor Samim Khpolwak said on Tuesday night that the attackers entered Shaheed Padshah School and Teachers Training Center and started attacking the police and army compound.

Meanwhile, sources told TOLOnews on condition of anonymity on Tuesday night that the attackers entered the airport from its fifth gate, which is under tight security. They said no one can enter without showing an ID card.