Suicide bomber attacks U.S. base in northeastern Afghanistan, killing 2

[News_Editor]

Suicide bomber attacks U.S. base in northeastern Afghanistan, killing 2

2012-03-06 05:50:16 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (BNO NEWS) -- Two Afghan civilians were killed on late Monday afternoon when a suicide bomber attacked Bagram Airbase in northeastern Afghanistan, apparently in retaliation over the alleged burning of Qurans at the base, officials said.

The attack happened just after 5 p.m. local time when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the third entrance gate to Bagram Airfield, one of the largest U.S. military bases in Afghanistan. The base is located near the ancient city of Bagram in Parwan province.

A provincial spokesman said two Afghan workers were killed in the attack while five others were injured, including three Afghan civilians and three service members with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The blast reportedly damaged an ISAF vehicle which was parked at the entrance.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that it was in retaliation for the alleged burning of Qurans at the U.S. base. "The heroic martyrdom-seeking Mujahid of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban), Ahmad drove up to the third gate of the airbase and detonated his bomb-laden car at a fairly large group of the American troops who had just returned from a patrol mission," he said.

Mujahid added: "The attack was in revenge for the burning of the copies of Holy Quran in the very base by U.S. terrorists as anti-U.S. fury has deepened significantly, triggering a series of widespread protests across the country since this worst act of blasphemy occurred."

U.S. troops have been accused of burning Qurans at the Bagram Airbase, triggering a series of violent protests across Afghanistan which have left dozens of people killed. Six U.S. soldiers were previously killed in attacks which were claimed to be retaliation attacks, forcing ISAF to recall all military advisers from Afghan ministries.

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