Taliban claims attack on international military base in Kandahar; 1 troop reportedly killed

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Afghan and international military officials said a group of insurgents with small arms and suicide bombers attacked a coalition base in southern Afghanistan Monday, killing one coalition soldier.

A suicide bomber first detonated an SUV packed with explosives at the gate of the base and then eight other armed militants with suicide vests and small arms stormed the base in Zhari district, in eastern Kandahar province.

According to Javid Faisal, spokesman for the provincial governor, one soldier from the International Assistance Force-Afghanistan (ISAF) and all nine attackers were killed in the ensuing firefight.

The U.S.-led ISAF confirmed that one troop was killed in a suicide car bombing against one of its bases in southern Afghanistan.

ISAF did not confirm which nation was based at the compound in Zhari, or the nationality of the slain troop. One Afghan official, who asked not to be identified, said it was an American base.

Zhari is located west of the provincial capital, Kandahar city.

The Taliban, who have intensified their campaign against Afghan and international forces as foreign troops withdraw this year, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The southern province of Kandahar is the birthplace of the extremist Islamic movement.