Suicide Blast at US-Run Bagram Airbase Kills 4 Americans, Wounds 17
By Ayaz Gul November 12, 2016
A suspected Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up inside the U.S.-military run Bagram airbase in Afghanistan Saturday morning, killing four Americans, and wounding 16 American servicemen and one Polish soldier.
A statement from Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the apparent suicide bomber killed two American soldiers and two American contractors working on the base.
Afghan media sources say the attack occurred just outside the dinning hall at the facility. The bomber was disguised as a laborer at the airbase located north of Kabul.
"I condemn the suicide attack at Bagram and stand in solidarity with families and friends of those killed and wounded today," said Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah through his official Twitter account.
"On November 12, an explosive device was detonated on Bagram Airfield resulting in multiple casualties. Four people have died in the attack and approximately 14 have been wounded," Army General John W. Nicholson, commander of Resolute Support said in a written statement.
"To those who target Coalition forces, ANDSF, and Afghan civilians, Resolute Support and USFOR-A will continue to pursue our Train, Advise, and Assist mission to help our partners create a better Afghanistan," the statement added.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its bomber had infiltrated the local staff at the airbase months before he carried out attack. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said authorities are investigating the atteck to determine any steps to improve security, and he vowed that U.S. forces will not be deterred in their mission to protect the United States and to help Afghanistan secure its own future.
The violence came after Thursday night's bomb-and-gun raid on the German consulate in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif. That attack left at least six people dead and wounded about 130 others, mostly civilians.
Germany said Friday all its German and Afghan employees at the diplomatic mission escaped unhurt.
The Taliban also claimed responsibility for that attack, saying it was carried out to take "revenge" for the killings of Afghan civilians in neighboring Kunduz province in a U.S. airstrike earlier this month.
The insurgent group vowed to carry out more such attacks against countries participating in the NATO-led military mission in Afghanistan, known as Resolute Support, which mainly comprises U.S. troops.
VOA's National Security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report
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