ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (KUNA) -- At least five people were injured in a powerful suicide bombing on Wednesday that targeted an under-construction medical facility near Bagram Air Base, the main US base north of the Afghan capital Kabul.
The NATO-led mission in Afghanistan in a statement said there were no US or coalition casualties, but a medical base being built for locals was badly damaged. America's main air base remains secure, the statement read.
"The attack was quickly contained and repelled by our ANDSF (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces) and Coalition partners," according to the statement.
The head of the provincial health facilities, Dr. Sangin said that the hospital near the perimeter of the base was on fire. It wasn't immediately clear if any foreigners were inside the hospital.
The official confirmed that they have received five injured, all Afghans. The explosion happened in Jan Qadam area of Bagram district early morning and clashes occurred between foreign troops and attackers close to Bagram airbase after the explosion, said a spokesman for the provincial governor, Wahida Shahkar.
"No reports of casualties yet," he said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
The attack came at time when US and Taliban delegates continued their negotiations in Doha for the fourth day on Tuesday where Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen hinted towards an agreement that could lead to intra-Afghan negotiations for deciding a ceasefire in Afghanistan.
The talks were resumed after a recent visit by US President Donald Trump to Afghanistan where he announced that U.S had reopened peace talks with the Taliban rebels.
The announcement was followed by visit of US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to Kabul where he held talks with top Afghan leadership including Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani. (end) sbk.mt