Taliban attack repelled by Nato troops
Tuesday, 19 Aug 2008 18:32
Nato soldiers repel Taliban assault upon base in eastern Afghanistan
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Nato soldiers have successfully repelled a Taliban assault on a base in eastern Afghanistan.
Seven insurgents died in the failed attack upon Camp Salerno in Khost province, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said.
The attack is the second upon the base in two days after a car bomb was detonated yesterday.
On today's assault an Isaf statement said: "Isaf forces on the base had [previously] identified a group of insurgents posturing to attack the base and engaged them with small arms fire.
"Helicopters arrived on station soon after and engaged these insurgents as they attempted to flee from the scene."
Six of the seven dead insurgents were bombers, three of whom detonated their explosive belts before being shot.
There were no casualties among the American soldiers based at the outpost, Isaf said.
On Monday ten civilians were killed and 13 wounded when a car bomb was detonated on the outskirts of Camp Salerno.
An identical attack was foiled shortly afterwards by Afghan soldiers when they detonated a second car bomb in a controlled explosion.
"Isaf wishes to praise the brave and professional actions by the [Afghan army] in helping to deter these attacks," a statement added.