Taliban attack Afghan Nato base

2010-11-15 11:32

Kabul - Six heavily armoured vehicles were destroyed on Monday when rocket fire blew up a fuel tank at a Nato base in eastern Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.

"The forward operating base in Kunar province in the district of Asadabad received small arms fire and a round from a rocket-propelled grenade," an ISAF spokesperson said.

"The RPG struck a fuel bladder. The fire is under control at this time. The fire did destroy six MRAPs (mine-resistant armoured protected vehicles) and an ambulance."

No injuries or fatalities were reported, he added.

Taliban spokesperson Zabillulah Mujahid said the group was responsible and claimed that a helicopter and an ammunitions dump were also destroyed.

"Heavy casualties were also inflicted on foreign soldiers in the base," he added, although the Taliban regularly exaggerates details of its attacks, particularly foreign fatalities.

Eastern Afghanistan is the scene of fierce fighting between Taliban-led insurgents and foreign forces. Five foreign troops were killed in the region on Sunday, ISAF said in separate statements on Sunday and on Monday.

Asadabad is the capital of the mountainous Kunar province, which is near the border with Pakistan.

MRAPs are a family of vehicles used by the US military that are designed to protect troops from the mines and roadside bombs that have become the weapon of choice for insurgents in Afghanistan.

They range in weight from seven to more than 22 tons and carry between six to 12 passengers. A single vehicle can cost upwards of $500 000.

- AFP