File photo/ Reuters

KANDAHAR: Militants carried out suicide bombing attack on an Afghan National Army base in Maiwand district in Kandahar late on Wednesday night, killing at least 43 military personnel, said Afghan media reports.

Of 60 soldiers manning the base in the southern province of Kandahar, 43 were killed, nine were wounded and six were missing after Taliban militants stormed the base in the middle of the night, the ministry said in a statement.

The militants sought entry into the base through explosive-laden Humvee vehicles and detonated them at the gate.

Following the suicide blast, the other militants entered into the military base and opened fire.

The security forces fired in retaliation, while foreign troops carried out aerial firing to neutralise the enemy, killing at least 10 militants.

The attack was confirmed by Gen. Abdul Raziq, provincial police chief of Kandahar. 

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.