Taliban claims suicide attack on Nato base

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

More than half of Afghanistan’s families live in extreme poverty

Leila is watching her baby intently, as his mouth moves trying to swallow the small blob of yellow p...

Time for a new approach to alcohol

Ambulances were called and three drunk teenagers were brought to my care. One was so drunk we had to...

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

Paul Volcker stands tall against the banking lobby

Why is Europe, which likes to present itself as an opponent of speculative "Anglo-Saxon" finance, li...

The Taliban claimed responsibility today for a suicide bombing inside a US-Afghan base in eastern Afghanistan that killed two Nato service members.

An attacker wearing an Afghan police uniform infiltrated Chergotah base on yesterday night and detonated his explosive vest next to a group of soldiers who were warming themselves beside a fire, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said.

US troops command most of the eastern area bordering Pakistan, and local officials said they only knew of US soldiers and Afghan border police at the base. A Nato statement on the attack confirmed that two of its service members died but did not give their nationalities. A number of others were wounded in the attack, the military alliance said.

The attack was a reminder of the increasing sophistication and reach of insurgents, who have expanded attacks against targets like the capital Kabul and heavily guarded military outposts even as Nato forces have started to take back some of their strongholds in the south.

In December, a suicide bomber infiltrated a CIA base in Khost city, killing seven CIA employees and a Jordanian intelligence officer. The bomber was able to enter the base because the CIA was cultivating him as a potential source of information about al Qaida leaders.

Tuesday's suicide attack was along the Pakistan border, about 25 miles east of Khost city, the provincial capital. Khost's rugged mountains are dominated by the Haqqani network, an al Qaida-linked Afghan Taliban faction blamed for the CIA attack.

A resident who lives near Chergotah base, Sayed Gul, said he heard a large explosion just after sunset and saw two helicopters land in the area of the base and then fly back toward Khost city.

Nato said an investigation into the attack is under way, but did not give further details. Provincial police chief Yaqoub Khan said he could not give details on the base that was attacked, but said all the Nato bases in the area are run by Americans.

On Monday, international and Afghan forces in Khost city repelled an insurgent attack on the provincial government headquarters, Nato said.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'
Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Meet the former soldier who has joined the political prisoners he tortured in Turkey's Mamak prison by suing the generals who led a regime of terror
The local high street jet shop

The local high street jet shop

Got a spare $50m and can't stand the queues at Heathrow? Get yourself down to London's first private plane dealership
Do you like your doctor? It could be the death of you

Do you like your doctor?

It could be the death of you...
The mysterious affair of how Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

How Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

Twenty of the author's novels have been adapted and presented with learning notes and a CD
Six Grammys, five years off: Adele puts love before career

Six Grammys, five years off

Adele puts love before career
The 10 Best binoculars

The 10 Best binoculars

From no-frills to bins with digital cameras
Milan for £300

Milan for £300?

A cultural family holiday - on a budget - to Italy's most stylish city
'Black-hole' resorts: Turn up, tune out, log off

'Black-hole' resorts

Turn up, tune out, log off
New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

Remodelled since winning in Milan in 2008, for all their consistency – and prize-money – Wenger's side are yet to claim a European title
James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

City would be putting their desire to win title ahead of morals if Tevez plays for them
Mark Cavendish: Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?

Mark Cavendish interview

Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?
Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets