Afghan forces foil attack on US-run Bagram air base
Iran Press TV
Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:42PM GMT
Afghan security forces have foiled a potentially devastating attack on Bagram air base, the largest military base for US troops in Afghanistan.
The plot was foiled after Afghan forces carried out a raid on militants hideouts in northeastern Kapisa Province on Wednesday.
Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) said in a statement that security forces seized a hoard of arms and ammunitions, including explosives, missile launcher devices and 11 BM-21 Grad missiles during the operation.
The NDS added that the militants were planning to attack the US-run Bagram airfield in Parwan Province and other government compounds.
Afghan officials said would-be attackers are believed to belong to a Taliban faction, which has carried out a string of deadly attacks across Afghanistan.
Bagram is home to thousands of US military personnel and civilian contractors.
Bagram and several other US-led military bases have come under several major attacks across the war-ravaged country over the past few weeks.
The militant group has recently said it would use 'every possible tactic' to inflict casualties on Afghan and US-led forces. They specifically mentioned insider attacks and bomb attacks.
There has been a surge in the number of militants' assaults against Afghan forces, foreign troops, and civilians in the war-torn country in recent months. US-led troops and Afghan forces are also falling prey to Taliban attacks on an almost daily basis.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity remains across the country despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops.
JR/SS
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