This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-17370512
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Truck 'driven at' runway during Panetta's Afghan visit | |
(39 minutes later) | |
A member of Nato forces in Afghanistan has been injured in an incident involving a vehicle during a visit by US defence secretary Leon Panetta. | |
A pick-up truck was driven onto a runway of the main British base in the southern province of Helmand, Camp Bastion, before it burst into flames. | |
The Afghan driver of the truck suffered burns and has been arrested. | |
A spokesman for the Nato-led Isaf force said that at no point was Mr Panetta or anyone on board his plane at risk. | |
There are conflicting reports of the sequence of events inside the high-security area as Mr Panetta's plane flew in. | There are conflicting reports of the sequence of events inside the high-security area as Mr Panetta's plane flew in. |
A Pentagon spokesman, Capt John Kirby, said a pick-up truck drove at high speed onto the ramp where Mr Panetta's plane was intended to stop. | A Pentagon spokesman, Capt John Kirby, said a pick-up truck drove at high speed onto the ramp where Mr Panetta's plane was intended to stop. |
The vehicle ended up crashing into a ditch, he said. | The vehicle ended up crashing into a ditch, he said. |
George Little, a spokesman travelling with the US defence secretary, said the driver of the vehicle ended up on fire. | George Little, a spokesman travelling with the US defence secretary, said the driver of the vehicle ended up on fire. |
He said Mr Panetta's plane was diverted after it landed and before it was parked. | He said Mr Panetta's plane was diverted after it landed and before it was parked. |
A flash was seen from the vehicle, but military sources have told the BBC that they would be "wary" of describing it as an explosion as an investigation is under way. | A flash was seen from the vehicle, but military sources have told the BBC that they would be "wary" of describing it as an explosion as an investigation is under way. |
Initial reports suggest that no explosive devices have been found on the truck. | Initial reports suggest that no explosive devices have been found on the truck. |
The driver was an Afghan civilian employed at the base, who was badly hurt and is being treated in hospital. | The driver was an Afghan civilian employed at the base, who was badly hurt and is being treated in hospital. |
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Kabul, who has visited the camp many times, says there is an enormous level of security at the base. | |
Camp Bastion is one of the world's busiest airports, he says, because of the volume of helicopter and aeroplane flights landing and taking off. | Camp Bastion is one of the world's busiest airports, he says, because of the volume of helicopter and aeroplane flights landing and taking off. |
Mr Panetta's visit to Helmand comes as the US seeks to contain the fallout from the shooting of 16 Afghan villagers by a US soldier on Sunday. | Mr Panetta's visit to Helmand comes as the US seeks to contain the fallout from the shooting of 16 Afghan villagers by a US soldier on Sunday. |
US military officials announced on Wednesday that the soldier had been flown out of Afghanistan, but did not say where he had been taken. | US military officials announced on Wednesday that the soldier had been flown out of Afghanistan, but did not say where he had been taken. |
"He has been flown outside of the country, based on legal recommendation," Capt Kirby said. | |
Mr Panetta was in Helmand to address US troops, as fears mount that they could be the target of a backlash against foreign forces. | Mr Panetta was in Helmand to address US troops, as fears mount that they could be the target of a backlash against foreign forces. |
He has since left the province for Kabul. | He has since left the province for Kabul. |