Bomber kills Americans at Afghan base

Several attacks have targeted the base in the past (AFP)

A suicide bomber has killed four Americans inside Bagram airbase, the largest US military facility in Afghanistan.

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said two members of the armed services and two contractors had died in the attack.

A further 16 US service members and one Polish soldier were injured, he added.

The Taliban said one of their fighters had carried out the attack, a major security breach in one of the best protected places in Afghanistan.

Bagram has been targeted by militants in the past but this is the first time a bomb has exploded inside the base.

Just north of the capital Kabul, it has been used as the main military base and airfield by the US-led forces and Nato over the past 14 years.

A local government spokesman said the attacker had entered the base early in the morning and was among Afghan labourers reporting for duty when he detonated his vest.

Mr Carter said he was "deeply saddened" by the US casualties and promised an investigation.

"Force protection is always a top priority for us in Afghanistan, and we will investigate this tragedy to determine any steps we can take to improve it," he said. Read More...