Alwaght- Afghan defense minister Abdullah Habibi and the country's army chief of staff Qadam Shah Shaheem have resigned following Friday's attack by Taliban militants at a military base.
In a statement, Afghanistan’s president’s office announced on Monday that, “Defence Minister Abdullah Habibi and Army Chief of Staff Qadam Shah Shahim stepped down with immediate effect.”
The two senior officials have apparently stepped down following a deadly attack a military base in Balkh province that left over 140 soldiers dead.
The abrupt resignations came as the Afghan lawmakers on Sunday summoned the defense minister demanding explanations on the attack which was the deadliest on a military base in the country.
A group of at least ten Taliban insurgents reportedly stormed a military base Mazar-i-Sharif city and initially launching a suicide attack before the remaining militants to start shooting spree. The base attacked the headquarters of the 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan National Army, which is responsible for security in much of northern Afghanistan.
The exact number of the casualties has not been officially confirmed but reports indicate more than 140 soldiers and officers lost their lives in the attack.
The attack by Taliban militants dressed in Afghan army uniforms lasted six hours. By the end, at least five attackers were killed and one was arrested.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement on Saturday the attack was retribution for the recent killing of several senior Taliban leaders in northern Afghanistan.
Taliban militants have launched their annual spring offensive in the war-torn country, targeting security forces and US-led foreign troops.
