Failed Taliban Attack On NATO Outpost In Jalalabad.

Eight Taliban fighters have been killed in an attack on a NATO forward operating base near the airport in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad.

The attack near Jalalabad's airport began at about 0530 (0100 GMT) on Saturday, the second time in six months that the area has been targeted. Witnesses said they heard explosions and saw smoke rising in the area.

An Isaf statement said that Forward Operating Base Behsud "received small arms fire from an unknown number of insurgents". It said the assault was repelled by Isaf and Afghan troops, who sustained no casualties. Helicopters were also called in. Afterwards, a nearby residential district was showered with bullets, witnesses said, and a number of bodies were seen lying on the ground.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said 14 suicide bombers had been involved.

"They entered the airport. Some of them have blown themselves up," he was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

Isaf said four of the attackers were dressed in Afghan army uniforms.

By: Shelldrake