KABUL — Taliban militants fired rockets and mortars at a U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, killing two American service members in a fierce battle.
The multi-pronged attack in eastern Paktika province, where an American soldier was captured last week, included a truck bombing near the camp’s gates. The battle ended only after U.S. forces called in airstrikes on militants.
More than 30 insurgents were killed in the Saturday battle in the Zerok district of Paktika province, said Hamidullah Zawak, the provincial governor spokesman. Seven Americans and two Afghan soldiers were wounded, a U.S. military spokesman said.
Attack helicopters, airstrikes and fire from U.S. troops killed at least 10 militants, according to a statement from the NATO-led force under which these American troops fight. Troops detained one militant, it said. The discrepancy in the militant death tolls could not immediately be reconciled. The Associated Press
