By KUNA
Kabul : Two soldiers of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and as many civilians were killed while another seven people were injured in a massive car bomb attack in southeastern Afghanistan on Monday evening, officials here confirmed on Tuesday.
The NATO base in Yaqobi district of the southeastern Khost province came under attack by a group of militants who sprayed bullets at the Afghan security forces which guarded the main entrance.
Later, a bomber rammed his explosive-packed truck into the compound, which destroyed two rooms and resulted in casualties among the Afghan security personnel and the NATO troops.
Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Mohammad Ayub said two NATO soldiers were killed and four were wounded. Two Afghan civilians were also killed and three sustained injuries in the huge explosion.
Taliban spokesman Zabeehullah Mujahid had claimed several foreign and local soldiers were killed in the attack. He telephoned media offices to claim that several sacks full of explosives were packed in the truck detonated on the entrance of the NATO base.
A US military spokesman in Kabul also confirmed the killing of two NATO soldiers and injury of four. The military officials did not disclose names and nationalities of those killed and injured, as customary.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said police had destroyed landmines in two districts of the southeastern Pakia province.
A ministry statement said the landmines were planted to target the Afghan and foreign security forces in the area.