Explosion kills four in largest US base in Afghanistan

Kabul: At least four people were killed early Saturday in an explosion inside the largest US military base in Afghanistan, NATO said, with the Taliban claiming responsibility for the major security breach.

The explosion struck at dawn inside the heavily fortified Bagram Airfield north of Kabul, as the Taliban step up attacks on Western targets before the onset of winter, when fighting usually ebbs.

The nationalities of those killed were not immediately known after the blast, which highlights a worsening security situation nearly two years after NATO formally ended its combat operations in Afghanistan.

"An explosive device was detonated on Bagram Airfield resulting in multiple casualties. Four people have died in the attack and approximately 14 have been wounded," NATO said in a statement.

"Response teams at Bagram continue to treat the wounded and investigate the incident."

Waheed Sediqi, spokesman for the governor of Parwan province where Bagram is located, said the blast was caused by a suicide attacker who blew himself up near a dining facility inside the base.

"We don`t know the identity of victims yet, but the attacker was either one of the Afghan labourers working there," Sediqi told AFP.

Bagram district governor Abdul Shakoor Quddusi said the explosion that struck around 0100 GMT was powerful and reverberated across the area.

"To the family and friends of those who lost their lives today, we share your loss and our thoughts are with you. We offer you our deepest condolences," said John Nicholson, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

"For the family and friends of those wounded in today`s attack, let me assure you they are receiving the best care possible, and we will keep them in our thoughts today."

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgent group was behind the suicide attack inside Bagram, claiming it inflicted "heavy casualties on US invaders".

The brazen attack represents an alarming security breach inside what is regarded as one of the most heavily guarded military installations in Afghanistan.

Bagram Airfield, close to Kabul, has frequently come under attack by Taliban insurgents.

Last December, a motorcycle-riding Taliban suicide bomber killed six US soldiers near Afghanistan`s largest US military base.

It was one of the deadliest attacks on foreign troops in the country in 2015.

The latest attack comes after a powerful Taliban truck bomb struck the German consulate in Afghanistan`s northern Mazar-i-Sharif city late Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding more than 100 others.

The uptick in attacks comes just days after a bitter US presidential election.

Afghanistan got scarcely a passing mention in the election campaign -- even though the situation there will be an urgent matter for the new president.

President-elect Donald Trump is set to inherit America`s longest war with no end in sight.