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KABUL: Two days after U.S. troops vacated Bagram base, Taliban insurgents staged an attack on the air base, an assault which Afghan security forces repulsed at its outset, according to officials in Parwan province.
“The Taliban attacked the base last night from outskirt of Kuh-e-Safi district and a heavy gunfight ensued for several hours,” Parwan’s provincial police chief, Abdul Rauf Uruzgani, said on Sunday.
The insurgents had closed in on Jalah area in Bagram district, 12 kilometers from the base. “But security forces and pro-government forces pushed them back and repulsed the attack, killing several Taliban rebels,” he said.
“The Taliban have ramped up recently, and they won’t hesitate to attack Bagram base and government facilities, including hospitals and clinics,” he said.
Parwan police chief stressed that security measures at Bagram airfield were at their peak and that any Taliban bid to attack will fail.
The Taliban have not yet commented on the attack on Bagram airport.
The attack happened two days ago after US and NATO forces withdrew from their largest military base and handed over responsibility to the Afghan forces.
Afghan Ministry of Defense says security forces will use the base to “fight terrorism, defend the lives and property of the people and provide security to the people.”
The Civil Aviation Authority has also reactivated the radar and communication system at Bagram airport.
According to the agency, two systems will be used to guide flights to the airport and to Hamid Karzai International Airport. The radar and communications system at Bagram Airport was deactivated before the withdrawal of US troops from Bagram.
