Attack on Kabul airport leaves 7 Taliban dead

Taliban insurgents launched an attack on Kabul airport Monday, leaving seven of its members dead.

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up and the five other insurgents were killed when Afghan troops hit back at the two half-built mansions where the militants were hiding near the airport's perimeter fence.

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The seven insurgents, wearing military and police uniforms, weren't able to breach the airport's grounds, but all flights were canceled or re-routed for several hours.

Two Afghan civilians also received minor injuries in the assault, which was thought to be targeting NATO's airport headquarters.

A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack.

The operation was deemed a victory for Afghan security forces and was praised as a sign of their newfound professionalism as they take over responsibility from US-led foreign troops who will pull out by the end of 2014.

"Brave Afghan security forces have the ability to repel any enemy attack and can protect people and their country," President Hamid Karzai said in a statement, highlighting the effectiveness of Afghanistan's foreign-trained units.

The pre-dawn airport assault was one of three insurgent attacks on state facilities across the country.

Another six suicide bombers stormed the provincial council building in the capital of southern Zabul province, and three others attempted to attack a district police headquarters just outside Kabul.