Military

DATE= 03/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287763

TITLE=AFGHAN / ATTACK (S ONLY)

BYLINE=GARY THOMAS

DATELINE=KABUL

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: American-led forces have come under fire in eastern Afghanistan. The attack was repulsed, but one U-S soldier was slightly wounded. V-O-A Correspondent Gary Thomas reports from Kabul.

TEXT: U-S military spokesmen say the force attacked the airfield near Khost, Tuesday night, with mortars, rockets and machine guns. A two-hour firefight ensued, in which one U-S soldier was wounded in the arm.

It is not certain if the attackers were al-Qaida or Taleban fighters, but the use of heavy armaments suggest that they were one or both. Khost borders Paktia Province -- scene of the just-completed American-led operation to root out al-Qaida and Taleban holdouts. The area also formerly housed several al-Qaida training camps. Several clashes have taken place around Khost. One U-S soldier was killed by gunmen in January, the first American fatality of the Afghan War.

The area has also been the scene of sporadic internecine clashes between forces of rival warlords, jockeying for power. Tuesday, gunmen opposed to the appointment of the new police chief clashed with local security forces in Khost, killing one person and wounding three others. (signed)

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