(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ISLAMABAD, April 24 (KUNA) -- Afghan Defense Minister and Army Chief of Staff stepped down on Monday following a military base attack by Taliban rebels in Afghanistan's northern Balkh province that reportedly killed around 140 soldiers.
Afghan Presidential Palace confirmed the Defense Minister Abdullah Habibi and Army Chief of Staff Qadam Shah Shahim have tendered their resignation with immediate effect.
Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani accepted the resignations of the defense minister and army chief of staff after more than 140 government soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack on an army base last week, the president's office said.
In addition, the ministry of Interior's Tariq Shah Bahrami has been appointed as acting minister of defense and general Sharif Yaftal as army chief of staff with immediate effect.
Earlier on Friday, at least 135 Afghan soldiers were killed and around 65 others wounded in the armed attack on Shaheen Military Corps in Mazar-e-Sharif city of Balkh province.
Afghan National Army's 209 Shaheen Corps Headquarters control around 20,000 army personnel and is one of the largest army corps in Afghanistan. (end) sbk.mb
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