Air base attack kills 5 Afghans
Source: Agencies |
December 3, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
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TALIBAN suicide bombers attacked a joint US-Afghan air base in eastern Afghanistan early yesterday, detonating explosives at the gate and sparking a gun battle that lasted at least two hours with American helicopters firing down on the militants.
The attackers and at least five Afghans died, officials said. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility. It was the largest attack on the Jalalabad air base since February, when a suicide car bombing triggered an explosion that killed nine Afghans.
In yesterday's attack, two vehicles packed with explosives barreled toward the main gate at 6am. The first vehicle, a four-wheel-drive car, blew up at the gate, said Hazrat Hussain Mashreqiwal, a spokesman for the provincial police chief. Guards started shooting at the second one before it too exploded, he added. It was unclear whether the explosives were detonated by the attackers themselves or by shooting from the guards.
Two Afghan medical students were caught in the attack and killed, as were three other Afghans working at the base, Mashreqiwal said.
Nine attackers took part in the assault in total, he said, three of whom were killed in the suicide blasts and six gunmen who died in the ensuing fighting that lasted a few hours. Major Martyn Crighton of the international military force in Afghanistan, said helicopters "were deployed and used." The NATO military coalition called the attack a failure.
"We can confirm insurgents, including multiple suicide bombers, attacked Jalalabad Airfield this morning. None of the attackers succeeded in breaching the perimeter," said Lieutenant colonel Hagen Messer of the international military coalition.
The attackers and at least five Afghans died, officials said. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility. It was the largest attack on the Jalalabad air base since February, when a suicide car bombing triggered an explosion that killed nine Afghans.
In yesterday's attack, two vehicles packed with explosives barreled toward the main gate at 6am. The first vehicle, a four-wheel-drive car, blew up at the gate, said Hazrat Hussain Mashreqiwal, a spokesman for the provincial police chief. Guards started shooting at the second one before it too exploded, he added. It was unclear whether the explosives were detonated by the attackers themselves or by shooting from the guards.
Two Afghan medical students were caught in the attack and killed, as were three other Afghans working at the base, Mashreqiwal said.
Nine attackers took part in the assault in total, he said, three of whom were killed in the suicide blasts and six gunmen who died in the ensuing fighting that lasted a few hours. Major Martyn Crighton of the international military force in Afghanistan, said helicopters "were deployed and used." The NATO military coalition called the attack a failure.
"We can confirm insurgents, including multiple suicide bombers, attacked Jalalabad Airfield this morning. None of the attackers succeeded in breaching the perimeter," said Lieutenant colonel Hagen Messer of the international military coalition.
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