Suicide Attackers Strike NATO Military Base In Afghanistan

According to Afghan and NATO officials, at least five suicide attackers were killed as a NATO base came under Taliban attack on Friday in Eastern Afghanistan. A spokesperson for International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) told that the latest assault was carried out against a forward operating base (FOB) located in the city of Gardez in Paktika Province which shares a border with Pakistan.

There are growing concerns in Washington over the rise in casualties and violence in Afghanistan, as President Barack Obama has promised a strategic review of the war that is becoming increasingly unpopular with the US public. Afghanistan faces more uncertainty after last week's parliamentary polls were marked by violence and allegations of misconduct, the second faulty election in little over a year.

The Taliban have carried out a number of well coordinated attacks on military bases and Afghan government building during the last year in an attempt to overthrow the Karzai-led government and drive out foreign troops.

A statement issued by ISAF said, "The attack began when a vehicle, followed closely by four suicide vest-wearing insurgents, attempted to breach a fortified area of the base". NATO troops destroyed the vehicle and killed the remaining insurgents as they tried to flee. The statement also said that coalition forces suffered no casualties.

The spokesperson for Paktika's governor said that an Afghan troop and a security guard were injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that the attack was carried out by 10 insurgents and some of them did manage to enter the base. It must be remembered that Taliban frequently make exaggerated claims regarding such assaults.