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Several killed in Afghan bombing | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A suicide car bomb explosion near a US military base in eastern Afghanistan has killed seven civilians and wounded several others, the US military says. | A suicide car bomb explosion near a US military base in eastern Afghanistan has killed seven civilians and wounded several others, the US military says. |
The attack took place near the eastern town of Khost. Most of the casualties were believed to be local labourers working at the base, Camp Salerno. | The attack took place near the eastern town of Khost. Most of the casualties were believed to be local labourers working at the base, Camp Salerno. |
There are no reports of casualties among coalition forces. | There are no reports of casualties among coalition forces. |
Khost was struck by several suicide blasts on Tuesday which left up to nine Afghans dead. | Khost was struck by several suicide blasts on Tuesday which left up to nine Afghans dead. |
Meanwhile, the US military in Afghanistan says its forces mistakenly killed two civilians and wounded four others as they responded to an insurgent attack also in the east of the country. | |
Simultaneous attacks | Simultaneous attacks |
The provincial police chief in Khost, Abdul Qayoum Baqizoi, confirmed that Wednesday's attack was a car bomb. | The provincial police chief in Khost, Abdul Qayoum Baqizoi, confirmed that Wednesday's attack was a car bomb. |
US military official, Specialist April Campbell, quoted by the AFP news agency from the main US base at Bagram, north of the capital Kabul, said: "Twenty-one local nationals were wounded and seven were killed." | US military official, Specialist April Campbell, quoted by the AFP news agency from the main US base at Bagram, north of the capital Kabul, said: "Twenty-one local nationals were wounded and seven were killed." |
Local officials said the toll of dead and injured could rise. | Local officials said the toll of dead and injured could rise. |
A man claiming to be a local member of the Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack. | A man claiming to be a local member of the Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack. |
The blast comes a day after nine people were killed in simultaneous attacks on government buildings in Khost. | The blast comes a day after nine people were killed in simultaneous attacks on government buildings in Khost. |
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the militants, Zabihullah Mujahid, said: "Thirty of our fighters armed with suicide cars, suicide jackets and guns have entered the city." | On Tuesday, a spokesman for the militants, Zabihullah Mujahid, said: "Thirty of our fighters armed with suicide cars, suicide jackets and guns have entered the city." |
Officials have not been able to confirm the number of militants involved. | Officials have not been able to confirm the number of militants involved. |
Khost has witnessed frequent clashes between coalition forces and the Taleban. | Khost has witnessed frequent clashes between coalition forces and the Taleban. |
In recent months militants have carried out attacks targeting several locations simultaneously, a sign of their increasing sophistication, analysts say. | In recent months militants have carried out attacks targeting several locations simultaneously, a sign of their increasing sophistication, analysts say. |
Meanwhile, the US forces said they used air strikes in eastern Paktika province after insurgents fired rockets at two frontline military bases. | |
They said two civilians and six insurgents were killed. | |
A spokesman for the US forces said they regretted the loss of civilian lives and were investigating what had happened. | |
The issue of civilian casualties has caused tension between the authorities in Afghanistan and the international forces. | |
Last week, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said some 130 civilians were killed in US air strikes in the west of the country during fighting with insurgents. |