By IANS,
London: Taliban militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades attacked a base in Afghanistan, targeting Prince Harry, but the prince was “never in any danger”. At least 18 Taliban men and two US Marines were killed in the clash.
A massive firefight erupted Friday night on an airstrip near Camp Bastion where Harry is based, The Sun reported Saturday. Bastion is Britain’s main military base in Helmand province.
Sky News quoted a Taliban commander as claiming that Harry was the main target of the attack. The 27-year-old Harry flies an Apache attack chopper from Bastion.
But Martyn Crighton, spokesman for the NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said the prince was “never in any danger”.
Smoke billowed from a helicopter hangar and two US Marines died as British and US troops fought the Taliban. Five other soldiers were injured in the four-hour battle at Camp Bastion, which the British and the US forces share, the report said.
The militants reportedly breached the perimeter of the US part of the base.
At least 18 Taliban were killed and one was injured. He was treated in the base hospital and will be interrogated, reports said.
The US and British parts at the massive air base are separated by a huge runway.
British forces are responsible for security on the runway.
The Taliban tried to attack the American side, targeting US choppers and troops.
A number of aircraft and buildings were said to have been damaged.
The Sun quoted a witness as saying that the attackers targeted a fuel depot.