Afghanistan — Attack at Bagram Leaves Several Insurgents Dead

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, May 19, 2010 — About a dozen insur­gents were killed here today dur­ing an attack that killed a U.S. con­trac­tor and wound­ed nine ser­vice­mem­bers.

Two of the nine wound­ed ser­vice­mem­bers have returned to duty, and all oth­ers were in sta­ble con­di­tion, offi­cials said. The name of the con­trac­tor killed in the attack is being with­held pend­ing next-of-kin notification. 

The attack on the sprawl­ing air base’s perime­ter includ­ed rock­ets, small arms and grenades. Four of the insur­gents killed were intend­ed sui­cide bombers, offi­cials said. 

“Though it is clear the ene­my intend­ed a spec­tac­u­lar event, … they were unable to breach the perime­ter and unable to det­o­nate their sui­cide vests,” said Army Lt. Col. Clarence Count Jr., a spokesman for Com­bined Joint Task Force 82 and Region­al Com­mand East. “The quick defen­sive reac­tion by the Bagram secu­ri­ty forces like­ly saved a lot of lives.” 

Source:
U.S. Depart­ment of Defense
Office of the Assis­tant Sec­re­tary of Defense (Pub­lic Affairs)