Gunshots were heard at a Kabul airport as airlift operations ensued ahead of a looming deadline for foreign evacuations.

Footage shows gunshots ringing at the Hamid Karzai International Airport, the main route out of Afghanistan, on August 25.

Thousands of locals have swarmed the airport in recent weeks trying to flee from Taliban rule after the insurgents took over the country on August 15.

U.S. President Joe Biden has imposed an August 31 cut-off for evacuations in Afghanistan.

He said: ‘We are currently on a pace to finish by August 31. I am determined to complete our mission. The sooner we finish the better. Each day of operations brings added risk to our troops.’

The Taliban said it will not agree to extensions, adding that only foreigners will be allowed to enter the Kabul airport.

Taliban militants have started blocking locals from leaving the country, saying Afghanistan needs these skilled workers.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: ‘The road that ends at Kabul airport has been blocked. Foreigners can go through it but Afghans are not allowed to take the road.’

He added: ‘We ask [the U.S.] to stop this process. This country needs their expertise. They should not be taken to other countries.’