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Suicide Attack at Afghan Base Kills at Least 9 Suicide Attack at Afghan Base Kills at Least 9
(about 4 hours later)
KABUL, Afghanistan — Suicide attackers struck a civilian base on the outskirts of the capital, Kabul, early Tuesday morning, blasting their way into the compound and killing four security guards before the five attackers were fatally shot. KABUL, Afghanistan — Five suicide attackers struck a civilian base on the outskirts of the capital, Kabul, early Tuesday morning, blasting their way into the compound and killing four security guards before the attackers were fatally shot.
The attack took place at 4:30 a.m. when a truck laden with explosives detonated at Camp North Gate, an operation about 24 miles from Bagram Air Base that is primarily used to house employees of the military contractor DynCorp International. The remaining attackers stormed the compound, but were shot by security officers in the ensuing firefight. Four Nepali guards and one Afghan security guard died in the fighting; five civilians were wounded. The attack took place at 4:30 a.m. when a truck laden with explosives detonated at Camp North Gate, a base about 24 miles from Bagram Air Base that is primarily used to house employees of a military contractor, DynCorp International. Attackers then stormed the compound, but were shot by security officers in the ensuing firefight. Four Nepali guards and one Afghan security guard died in the fighting; five civilians were wounded.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series of assaults aimed at the capital. Last week, the Taliban launched a sophisticated attack against the presidential palace in Kabul, while insurgents killed as many as 17 people during a June 10 attack on the Supreme Court in Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series of assaults aimed at the capital. Last week, the Taliban launched a sophisticated attack against the presidential palace in Kabul, while insurgents killed as many as 17 people during a June 11 attack on the Supreme Court in Kabul.
With typical flair, a Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said the insurgents killed 33 people and wounded 44 others, vastly inflating the official casualty count.With typical flair, a Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said the insurgents killed 33 people and wounded 44 others, vastly inflating the official casualty count.
The Taliban have kept up the pace of attacks in the capital, refusing to ease the pressure on the government even as a bid to restart peace talks has stalled in Doha, Qatar. The Taliban recently opened an office in Doha to facilitate peace talks, but hopes were quickly dashed after they raised their own flag and placed a sign that appeared to suggest it was akin to an embassy, infuriating the Afghan leadership. The Taliban have kept up the pace of attacks in the capital, refusing to ease the pressure on the government at a time when a bid to restart peace talks has stalled in Doha, Qatar. The Taliban recently opened an office in Doha to facilitate peace talks, but hopes were quickly dashed after they raised their own flag and placed a sign that appeared to suggest that the office was akin to an embassy, infuriating the Afghan leadership.
“This attack has no connection to any peace process whatsoever,” Mr. Mujahid said in a statement. “We will continue our military operations until our country is liberated from hands of invaders.”“This attack has no connection to any peace process whatsoever,” Mr. Mujahid said in a statement. “We will continue our military operations until our country is liberated from hands of invaders.”
Violence has continued apace this summer, exacting a particularly heavy toll among Afghan police officers. The Interior Ministry said 299 officers had been killed from May 10 through June 13. During the same period, 617 police were injured. Violence has continued apace this summer, exacting a particularly heavy toll among Afghan police officers. The Interior Ministry said 299 officers had been killed from May 10 through June 13. During the same period, 617 police officers were injured.
While it is difficult to know the precise percentage increase in Afghan police deaths over previous years (the Interior Ministry said it did not have the data), the increasing casualties come as Afghans have taken greater responsibility for handling security in the country, with coalition forces officially handing over responsibility last month. While it is difficult to know the scale of the increase in Afghan police deaths over previous years (the Interior Ministry said it did not have the data), the increasing casualties come as Afghans have taken greater responsibility for handling security in the country, with coalition forces officially handing over responsibility last month.

Jawad Sukhanyar contributed reporting.

Jawad Sukhanyar contributed reporting.