Originally published on December 11, 2013
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A suicide bomber attempted to attack a convoy of German troops near Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan on Wednesday morning, Reuters reports.
Witnesses said they heard a large blast near the heavily guarded airport, which accommodates a military base and operates civilian flights.
"We can confirm reports of a suicide bomber who attempted to attack an ISAF convoy today," said Lieutenant Colonel Latondra Kinley from the International Security Assistance Force, a security mission led by NATO.
The German troops were on their way to the airport, while an assailant was driving a vehicle filled with bombs and preparing to ambush the convoy.
AFP reports that the militant detonated the bomb too early, killing himself, but failing to harm the troops.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing assault in a text message sent by spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. He said two German vehicles were destroyed, and 10 soldiers were killed and wounded.
However, both ISAF and Afghan authorities reported no casualties. The Taliban is known for bumping up the death tolls of their attacks.
Flights were delayed for a period following the explosions, and the scene was cordoned off by Afghan and NATO troops.
Kabul has enjoying greater stability in recent months due to a drop in the frequency of insurgent attacks, but new insecurities lie ahead as President Hamid Karzai said he would delay signing an important security pact last month.
