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Afghan bomber kills CIA workers 'Afghan soldier' kills CIA staff
(about 3 hours later)
Eight Americans working for the CIA have died in a bomb attack in Afghanistan, the worst against US intelligence officials since 2001.Eight Americans working for the CIA have died in a bomb attack in Afghanistan, the worst against US intelligence officials since 2001.
A bomber wearing an explosive vest entered Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost Province, near Pakistan.A bomber wearing an explosive vest entered Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost Province, near Pakistan.
A Taliban spokesman said one of its members who was working for the Afghan army carried out the attack.A Taliban spokesman said one of its members who was working for the Afghan army carried out the attack.
In a separate incident, four Canadian soldiers and a journalist died in a roadside bomb attack in Kandahar.In a separate incident, four Canadian soldiers and a journalist died in a roadside bomb attack in Kandahar.
It was the worst fatal incident affecting Canadians in Afghanistan for more than two years.It was the worst fatal incident affecting Canadians in Afghanistan for more than two years.
Army uniformArmy uniform
A Taliban spokesman said the militant who carried out the attack at the Chapman base on Wednesday evening was working as a soldier in the Afghan army.A Taliban spokesman said the militant who carried out the attack at the Chapman base on Wednesday evening was working as a soldier in the Afghan army.
ANALYSIS Kim Ghattas, Washington It is probably the deadliest attack against US intelligence officials since the start of the war in 2001. What was unusual about this attack was that the suicide bomber was able to detonate his explosives inside the base. In the past, such attacks would have mostly killed Afghan labourers lined up outside a base, looking for work. The CIA has been increasing its presence in Afghanistan and is involved in work ranging from counter terrorism to counter narcotics. It also operates the unmanned aircraft used in aerial strikes against al-Qaeda fighters in the border areas of Pakistan. ANALYSIS Peter Greste, Kabul This is not the first time an Afghan security official has turned on coalition forces. Last March, an Afghan soldier shot dead two US troops, wounded a third and then turned the gun on himself. And in November, a policeman killed five British soldiers in Helmand.
Those breaches of security will raise new questions about the capacity of the Afghan authorities to screen recruits as they struggle to increase numbers and take over the war from coalition forces.
At the same time, the coalition is dramatically ramping up numbers of both military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan, in line with President Obama's surge.
This latest attack exposes the risks inherent in both elements of that strategy.
Zabiullah Mujahid told the BBC the bomber was wearing uniform when he managed to breach security at the base, detonating his explosives belt in the gym.Zabiullah Mujahid told the BBC the bomber was wearing uniform when he managed to breach security at the base, detonating his explosives belt in the gym.
Unnamed US officials were quoted as saying that most if not all of the dead Americans were either CIA agents or contractors, although this has not been officially confirmed by either the CIA or the Pentagon.Unnamed US officials were quoted as saying that most if not all of the dead Americans were either CIA agents or contractors, although this has not been officially confirmed by either the CIA or the Pentagon.
A further six Americans are reported to be wounded.A further six Americans are reported to be wounded.
Reports say the base is used by provincial reconstruction teams, which consist of soldiers and civilians.Reports say the base is used by provincial reconstruction teams, which consist of soldiers and civilians.
The base has been described as "not regular" - a phrase that implies it was a centre of CIA operations in Khost province, the BBC's Peter Greste in Kabul says.The base has been described as "not regular" - a phrase that implies it was a centre of CIA operations in Khost province, the BBC's Peter Greste in Kabul says.
It is the biggest single reported loss of life for the CIA since the war began in Afghanistan eight years, and the biggest loss for the US since October.It is the biggest single reported loss of life for the CIA since the war began in Afghanistan eight years, and the biggest loss for the US since October.
"We mourn the loss of life in this attack, and are withholding further details pending notification of next of kin," US state department spokesman Ian Kelly said."We mourn the loss of life in this attack, and are withholding further details pending notification of next of kin," US state department spokesman Ian Kelly said.
A spokesman for Isaf, the international Nato force in Afghanistan, said that "no US and no Isaf military personnel were killed or injured" in the incident.A spokesman for Isaf, the international Nato force in Afghanistan, said that "no US and no Isaf military personnel were killed or injured" in the incident.
Questions raised Deadliest year
Khost province - which is one of the Taliban's strongholds - has been targeted by militants over the past year.Khost province - which is one of the Taliban's strongholds - has been targeted by militants over the past year.
PREVIOUS 'INSIDER' ATTACKS Nov 09: Afghan policeman shoots dead five British soldiers who were mentoring Afghan national police officers in HelmandMarch 09: Afghan soldier shoots dead two US troops before turning the gun on himself in northern AfghanistanOct 08: Afghan policeman kills a US soldier on foot patrol in eastern AfghanistanSept 08: Afghan policeman shoots dead Nato soldier in eastern Paktia province
The number of foreign civilians deployed in Afghanistan has been rising as international efforts there focus increasingly on development and aid.The number of foreign civilians deployed in Afghanistan has been rising as international efforts there focus increasingly on development and aid.
Civilians work alongside military reconstruction teams at provincial bases around the country.Civilians work alongside military reconstruction teams at provincial bases around the country.
A "civilian surge" was one of the three core elements of the new US strategy for Afghanistan announced by US President Barack Obama at the beginning of the month.A "civilian surge" was one of the three core elements of the new US strategy for Afghanistan announced by US President Barack Obama at the beginning of the month.
The fact that an attacker has been able to breach security at such a sensitive facility raises questions about the ability of US forces to protect themselves ahead of the surge, our correspondent adds.
This has been the deadliest year for foreign troops since the 2001 invasion.This has been the deadliest year for foreign troops since the 2001 invasion.