Two US soldiers and interpreter hurt in Afghanistan grenade attack

Attackers hurled a grenade into an unmarked jeep carrying two American soldiers and an Afghan interpreter in the heart of Kabul on Tuesday, wounding all three, the US military said.

Attackers hurled a grenade into an unmarked jeep carrying two American soldiers and an Afghan interpreter in the heart of Kabul on Tuesday, wounding all three, the US military said.

An Afghan official later said the attack was linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network. There have been frequent attacks against US bases in eastern Afghanistan, but attacks on US forces in the capital Kabul are rare.

One of the soldiers received injuries to the head while the other suffered shrapnel wounds to his leg. The soldiers were in a stable condition while their interpreter suffered only light wounds.

US military spokeswoman Lt Tina Kroske said three suspected assailants were arrested, but Kabul Police Chief Basir Salangi said only two men were in custody.

Interior Minister Taj Mohammed Wardak said on state TV that authorities were investigating the incident.

"There is no doubt that these people had links to al-Qaida," he said. At present it is not clear what evidence he has.

At a police station where the detainees were being interrogated, one suspect claimed he carried out the attack because the Americans were laughing at women.

Tuesday's attack was the latest in a series of sporadic attacks on US soldiers in Afghanistan.