August 19, 2008	Tuesday	Sha’aban 16, 1429

KHOST, Aug 18: A Taliban suicide bomber rammed an explosives-packed car into the gate of the main US military base in southeastern Afghanistan on Monday, killing 10 civilians as the country observed its Independence Day.

The bombing, which wounded 13, comes at a time of heightened security as military and diplomatic officials warned intelligence reports indicated the Al Qaeda-backed Taliban were planning a large attack to coincide with the independence day celebrations.

“The victims were all poor labourers and civilians,” the governor of Khost province, Arsala Jamal said. “This was a barbaric act carried out by the enemies of Afghanistan at a time of celebration of independence.”

As security forces were dealing with the aftermath of the first blast, two more suicide bombers in another car approached, but were shot dead by police before they were able to detonate their explosives, Jamal said.

Violence has surged in Afghanistan this year as the Taliban step up their guerrilla and bombing campaign to oust the pro-Western Afghan government and drive out foreign troops.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast at the base near the town of Khost, the main hub for US and Nato-led operations in southeasern Afghanistan.

WARNING: The commander of US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan issued a warning after the Khost blast, saying credible intelligence indicated a possible attack on Independence Day.

“These reports indicate that the enemies of the people of Afghanistan intend to attack civilian, military and government targets during Afghan Independence celebrations,” the US military said in a statement.

“We recommend to all Afghans to be vigilant at large public events and other locations where crowds gather and report suspicious behaviour to security forces, Afghan or coalition, and government representatives,” it said.—Reuters