9 killed in Taliban attack on Afghan Army Corps

At least eight military personnel and one attacker were killed when Taliban militants attacked an Afghan Army Corps in the northern province of Balkh on Friday, the Defence Ministry said.

The attack targeted the 209 Shaheen Corps on the outskirts of provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif city at 2 p.m. (local time) before the Army launched a counter attack.

"One attacker was killed, one was arrested together with a suicide jacket and efforts are underway to kill or capture the third terrorist," the ministry said in a statement.

The attackers, disguised in Army uniform, arrived in two military jeeps and made their way after passing through the front gate.

"They fired one rocket and attacked a mosque where Army personnel were offering Friday prayer in the base," according to the statement.

The Taliban claimed the attack.

--IANS

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