Militants Attack US Base in Afghanistan

Suspected Taliban militants attacked a U.S. military and civilian base on Thursday in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, with two attackers and a civilian reportedly killed in the incident, according to media reports.

Gen. Abdul Razzaq, an official on the base, told The Associated Press that three militants took over an office and started shooting. Two of the three were killed in the battle.

A medical facility in Kandahar said that one civilian was killed and two others and an Afghan soldier were wounded, according to the news agency.

According to CNN, the third attacker was still holed up in the office and resisting.

Haji Ahsan, acting chief of the Kandahar Provincial Council, said the Taliban launched “a failed attack” and are “trying to do symbolic attacks to get more attention,” according to the broadcaster.

The militants “parked two explosives-laden motorcycles and one minivan near the compound. ... Police have arrived at the scene and are trying to diffuse the explosives,” Ghorzang, who goes by one name, told AFP. Several explosions were heard near the base.