Taliban militants attack NATO post in AfghanistanJune 19, 2014 - 13:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Four Taliban militants struck a NATO post in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar on Thursday, June 19, destroying dozens of trucks and sparking a gun battle with polices, Afghan officials said, according to Reuters. The attack took place in the parking compound of a NATO base near the Torkham crossing on the Pakistani border, near the Khyber Pass and a main supply route for NATO-led forces in land-locked Afghanistan. Militants on both sides of the border have for years been attacking supplies bound for NATO-led forces in Afghanistan. Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said one attacker blew himself up while police killed the other three. He said 37 trucks containing fuel and other supplies were destroyed in explosions set off by the attackers. One Afghan driver was injured, Reuters quoted a witness as saying. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed that the militants, fighting to expel foreign forces and bring down the U.S.-backed Kabul government, were behind the attack. Afghanistan's Taliban have sustained a high level of violence even though most foreign troops are due to pull out of the country this year leaving Afghan security forces to face the insurgents on their own. Taliban fighters killed scores of people in attacks on Saturday on a second-round, run-off presidential election. Afghanistan's allies hope the election can usher in a strong, stable government but accusations of cheating have raised fears of a deadlock between the two rival candidates, both of whom support a security pact with the United States. The Taliban dismissed the vote as a U.S. ploy. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |