8 NATO-led troops killed in airport shooting

KABUL) soldiers and a contractor were killed during a shooting incident at the Afghan Air Force Headquarters in Kabul on Wednesday, officials said.

The NATO-led force confirmed the loss of its troops in a brief statement. However, in line with its policy, the multinational force deferred casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.

“At 10:25am local Kabul time, authorities received notification of small arms fire at North Kabul International Airport. A quick reaction force responded to the incident,” the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan said.

A gunman in Afghan military uniform sneaked into the building and opened indiscriminate fire, inflicting casualties on Afghan and foreign forces, an air force spokesman said.

Col. Bahadar told Pajhwok Afghan News the assailant was killed in retaliatory fire from the security personnel. He said the gunman fired into a command centre, where Afghan and foreign forces were meeting.

Defence ministry spokesman, Gen. Zahir Azimi, confirmed the incident, which was triggered by a verbal clash between an Afghan pilot and one of his foreign counterparts. Some casualties resulted from the shootout, he said, without giving a specific figure.

Afghan and NATO-led troops cordoned off the area immediately after the fire exchange, confided an official at the Kabul police headquarters.

Another source identified the attacker as a retired colonel, who managed to enter into the headquarters and opened fire on his former colleagues. Four people, including two foreigners, were injured as result, he said.

As usual, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault, with their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying a large number of Afghan and NATO-led troops were killed.

Last week, some suicide bombers in ANA uniforms entered into the heavily-fortified defence ministry, killing three officials and wounding six others.

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