A Taliban attack on a heavily fortified civilian and military airfield in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has been repelled, the Afghan army says, according to BBC News.

The defense ministry says that 37 civilians, including many children, were killed in the attack. The Tolo news agency reported that 14 militants were also killed.

The attack began on Tuesday, December 8, evening and several hostages were seized.

Final "mopping up operations" are now under way, military officials say.

The Taliban said a number of suicide fighters managed to enter the base with weapons. They said "martyrdom seekers" had launched "thunderous attacks on foreign and hireling personnel".

The attack is the latest in a series of ambitious assaults by the Taliban, who briefly seized the northern city of Kunduz in September.

The airport compound houses Afghan military and civilian sections as well as a Nato base.