Suicide bomber killed before reaching NATO base in Afghanistan

Suicide bomber killed before reaching NATO base in Afghanistan

2011-12-14 16:08:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

QALA-I-NAW, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A suspected Taliban would-be suicide bomber was shot dead on late Tuesday morning before reaching a NATO-led base at an airport in northwestern Afghanistan, officials said.

The attacker was believed to be targeting the Spanish Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) office at Qala-I-Naw airport in the country's northwestern Badghis province, according to Pajhwok Afghan News. The insurgent was shot dead at around 11.20 a.m. local time.

Provincial police chief Colonel Mohammad Jabbar Saleh told Pajhwok Afghan News that the attacker's suicide vest detonated shortly after the fatal shooting, but there were no additional casualties as he had not yet reached his target.

Saleh said personnel had increased their security measures and were on high alert after receiving information about a possible bomber. The police chief said an investigation had been launched to determine how the attacker was able to enter the airport.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the failed attack, although some reports suggest the attacker was acting on behalf of the Taliban.

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