Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


7 Militants Killed in NATO Base Attack in Afghanistan

   VOA News 19 May 2010
   Afghan  policemen  arrive  on  a  road  leading  to the US air base in
   Bagram, 50 kms north of Kabul, 19 May 2010

Photo: AFP

   Afghan  policemen  arrive  on  a  road  leading  to the US air base in
   Bagram, 50 kms north of Kabul, 19 May 2010

   NATO  says  seven  militants were killed and five troops wounded in an
   attack by Taliban insurgents on Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
   A  NATO spokesman says militants launched their attack early Wednesday
   using rockets, small arms and grenades.
   The  Taliban  claimed  responsibility for the attack, with a spokesman
   alleging that 20 suicide bombers carried out the assault.
   Bagram  is  one  of  the  largest  bases in Afghanistan, lying just 50
   kilometers north of Kabul.
   Wednesday's  violence comes a day after the Taliban launched an attack
   on  a  NATO convoy in Kabul, killing at least 18 people, including six
   NATO soldiers -- five Americans and one Canadian.
   Taliban  militants  have  increased attacks over the past 12 months as
   the  U.S. prepares for a major operation to drive the group from their
   stronghold in southern Kandahar province.
   In  Tuesday's  attack,  a  suicide  bomber  detonated  a  van  full of
   explosives  near  several  government  buildings during Tuesday's rush
   hour  in the capital.  The blast destroyed more than a dozen military
   and civilian vehicles, including a bus.
   Afghan  officials  say 12 civilians were killed and at least 47 others
   wounded in the blast, including women and children.
   The   White   House   and   NATO   condemned  Tuesday's  attack.  NATO
   Secretary-General  Anders  Fogh  Rasmussen  said  the alliance remains
   committed  to  its mission to protect the Afghan people and strengthen
   Afghanistan's ability to resist terrorism.
   Afghan President Hamid Karzai also condemned the attack, the deadliest
   against foreign troops in Kabul since six Italian soldiers were killed
   in a suicide bombing last September.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

.