US Base in Afghanistan Attacked

Militants attacked a US base in Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan today, setting off bombs, torching vehicles, and shutting down a key road used by NATO supply trucks, officials said. At least three people—apparently all attacking insurgents—were killed. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the strike in the Torkham area, the latest in a surge of attacks in Afghanistan as US-led foreign troops reduce their presence en route to a full withdrawal by the end of next year.

In a brief statement, NATO confirmed an "unsuccessful coordinated attack by enemy forces" but said none of its personnel were killed. The military alliance generally does not release information on wounded troops. No members of the Afghan security forces or civilians were killed or wounded, according to a top local official. Several militants wearing suicide vests and carrying other weapons staged the attack, and Afghan and US forces exchanged gunfire with the insurgents, another official said. NATO helicopters joined the fight, he added. (More Afghanistan stories.)