Blast heard in Kabul as army convoy attacked -security sources

A large explosion was heard in the diplomatic quarter of Kabul on Saturday and security sources said a military convoy had been attacked at the entrance to a base.  
    
Reuters reporters heard sirens and helicopters flying overhead. Details on casualties were not immediately available, but the NATO-led security force confirmed that it had sent troops to assist.

Earlier in the day, officials said a Taliban attack on a joint NATO-Afghan base in eastern Afghanistan has killed one NATO soldier.

Spokesman Ahmad Zia Abdulzai in Nangarhar province said the attack took place on Saturday morning when a suicide bomber struck outside the base in the province's Ghani Khail district.

After that, five Taliban fighters on foot tried to storm the base. Abdulzai said Afghan and NATO troops returned fire, killing the attackers.

NATO said a service member had died following a suicide bombing in eastern Afghanistan. The alliance did not identify the soldier's nationality.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in an email to the media.

Afghan insurgents have intensified attacks recently in a campaign to regain territory as foreign forces prepare to leave at the end of 2014. 


AP/REUTERS