77 personnel injured after Taliban hit Afghan coalition base

NATO: 77 personnel injured after Taliban hit Afghan coalition base
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 11, 2011 12:08 p.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: Most of the injured troops are Americans, a U.S. defense official says
At least two Afghan civilians are killed in the attack
Gen. John R. Allen: The attack says more about what the Taliban cannot do
"Their only ability to influence the battlefield" is often to go for a high-profile attack, he says

(CNN) -- At least two Afghan civilians are dead and as many as 77 NATO personnel were injured after Taliban militants struck a coalition base in Afghanistan, officials said.

The injured troops were "mostly" Americans, a U.S. defense official said Sunday.

The incident occurred Saturday, the eve of the 10th anniversary of al Qaeda's attack on the United States on 9/11.

The truck bombing took place in the central-east province of Wardak, and those killed were Afghan laborers, said Shahidullah Shahid, the Wardak governor's spokesman.

"This attack was a high-profile attack. It was a pretty significant suicide vehicle bomb," Gen. John R. Allen, commander of coalition and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, told CNN's Suzanne Malveaux Sunday.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault. NATO's International Security Assistance Force confirmed the attack was carried out by a Taliban suicide bomber.

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ALSO

3 Okla. soldiers killed in Afghanistan attack
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Sep 11, 2011 11:54:30 EDT
OKLAHOMA CITY — Three Oklahoma National Guard soldiers have been killed in an attack with small arms in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department on Sunday released the names of the soldiers after their family members had been notified of the Friday deaths.

Killed were 26-year-old Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower of Lamar, 26-year-old Spc Christopher D. Horton of Collinsville and 20-year-old PFC Tony J Potter of Okmulge. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack in Patkia Province.
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