Taliban attacks Nato base in Jalalabad

One of Nato’s biggest bases in Afghanistan was attacked Wednesday by the Taliban, who set off a car bomb and fired rocket-propelled grenades. Several attackers were killed in the attack claimed by the Taliban, but there were no casualties of Nato or civilian staff. 

Reuters

The attack is ongoing, according to Lieutenant-Commander Iain Baxter, who said the attackers were not able to get into the base.

"The attackers used a car bomb, RPG and small arms fire. They detonated the car bomb but it did not reach the perimeter," he said.

Spokesman for the Taliban Zabihullah Mujahed claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to the AFP news agency.

The attack comes days after the US army command went through a reshuffle. General David Petraeus took over following Stanley McCrystal removal, after he was quoted in an article as criticising the President’s approach to the war.

Barack Obama said Tuesday that McChrystal would be allowed to keep his rank and retire as a four-star general, even though he had not served the right number of years at the level to retain the rank.

Also Wednesday, US Attorney General Eric Holder made a surprise visit to Kabul to meet with Afghan and US officials on improving the Afghan government’s fight against corruption.