Taliban attack Nato bases in Afghanistan's Khost area

BBC ^ | August 28th 2010 | Staff

[Cardhu]

Taliban insurgents have attacked two coalition bases in eastern Afghanistan, Nato forces say.

Coalition forces repelled both attacks, killing 13 militants and capturing others, the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said.

The coalition suffered some casualties as a result of the fighting in Khost province, south-east of Kabul.

The Taliban said about 30 fighters, including suicide bombers, were involved in the two separate assaults.

Continue reading the main story Taliban ConflictCivilian toll shows Nato dilemma Q&A: Fighting the Taliban Who are the Taliban? Challenges for Afghan forces The attacks on Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khost province and nearby Camp Chapman began at about 0400 (2330 GMT).

In a statement, Isaf said "insurgent forces attacked the installations with indirect and small arms fire".

According to Isaf, its troops called in helicopters to assist in repelling the attacks and that 13 militants, four of whom were wearing suicide bomber vests, were killed in the fighting.

The BBC's Quentin Sommerville, in Kabul, says that elaborate attacks on forward operating bases are not unusual and that Taliban insurgents are increasingly using this more sophisticated guerrilla-style attack.

Camp Chapman was the scene of a major attack in December, when a suicide bomber entered the base and killed seven CIA employees.

That was the most deadly attack on US intelligence officials since the US embassy in Beirut was bombed in 1983.

[Cardhu]

Taliban militants claim they have killed several US soldiers during the attack.

“Already 18 American troops were killed and a US helicopter as well as an Afghan police vehicle were damaged” during the attack, claimed Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman.

“There is ongoing activity there, but it is fresh and I can’t give more details,” Lieutenant Commander Katie Kendrick told Reuters on Saturday.

The Taliban often exaggerate as do the Afghan authorities I cannot find any reliable source at this time.

[hal ogen]

But...but...how can this be? I thought we were “making friends” with the “moderate” taliban? Maybe they were just coming to the base to talk and NATO troops overreacted. All praise the nobama.

[Squantos]

Seems to be the best way to kill the taliban....... lure em into “your” established kill zones.

[Pan_Yan]

Reports are now coming in that they were wearing U.S. uniforms when they attacked.

[Cardhu]

I saw that mentioned some time ago - they seem to be much more sophisticated nowadays

[Future Snake Eater]

They did that on the attack at Kandahar Airfield and at Bagram. They also carry AK47s and the accompanying ammo vests. Nor do they speak English. The facade lasts long enough to get them about 20 feet closer to the gate.

[I Hate Obama]

I read last night that the taliban were wearing American uniforms and that is how they were able to get in.