ISAF says six jets destroyed in Taliban attack

PanARMENIAN.Net - A September 14 Taliban attack on NATO's Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, where Britain's Prince Harry is reportedly stationed, resulted in the destruction of six jet aircraft and damage to two others, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan said in a statement issued on Sunday, Sept. 16.

Approximately 15 insurgents who “appeared to be well-equipped, trained and rehearsed” carried out the nighttime attack, penetrating the base's perimeter fence and attacking aircraft on the flight line, ISAF said in the statement, which provides new details concerning the attack.

The attackers, who were armed with “automatic rifles, rocket propelled grenades and suicide vests,” destroyed six AV-8B Harrier jets, “significantly damaged” two others, destroyed two refueling stations and damaged six “soft-skinned aircraft hangars to some degree.”

Fourteen of the attackers were killed and one was captured.

Two coalition troops were killed in the attack and nine other coalition personnel suffered injuries, none life threatening, ISAF said. It did not specify the nationalities of the coalition troops who died, but earlier media reports said they were U.S. Marines, according to RIA Novosti.