Six jets destroyed as Taliban in US uniforms stormed Bastion

The full scale of the Taliban attack on Camp Bastion became clear yesterday as it emerged that 15 insurgents wearing US Army uniforms destroyed six Harrier jets, three refuelling stations and damaged a number of aircraft hangars.

As well as the two US marines who were killed, nine coalition staff were wounded in the attack, Isaf, the International Security Assistance Force coalition in Afghanistan, said.

Coalition forces killed 14 insurgents and wounded one other, who was then taken into custody.

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The attack happened shortly after 10pm on Friday when Taliban fighters, organised into three groups and armed with automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and suicide vests, breached the camp’s perimeter. The offensive took place near an airfield on the north-east side of the base, which houses US forces in Camp Leatherneck.

An Isaf spokesman said: “The insurgents appeared to be well equipped, trained and rehearsed.

“Dressed in US Army uniforms, the insurgents attacked coalition fixed and rotary wing aircraft parked on the flight line, aircraft hangars and other buildings.”

The official said the six Harriers destroyed were US marine aircraft and that two others were significantly damaged. Six aircraft hangars were also damaged.

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The nine personnel who were wounded included eight military and one civilian contractor, Isaf said. None of the injuries is thought to be life-threatening.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack on Camp Bastion, saying it was carried out because Prince Harry was on the base, and also as revenge for an anti-Islamic film.

The prince was unharmed and defence experts said that he should not be withdrawn from his military role in Afghanistan.

Harry, an Army captain, is based at Camp Bastion for his second tour of duty to the country, which is due to last four months.

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He was about two kilometres away with other crew members of the Apache attack helicopters, of which he is a co-pilot gunner, when the attack took place, sources said.

Tory MP Colonel Bob Stewart, a former commander of British troops in Bosnia, said he did not think the Prince should be pulled out of Afghanistan because of the attack by the Taliban.

“To hell with them,” he said. “Harry wants to go there and our soldiers want him there. He should stay.”

But Col Stewart stressed the security considerations regarding the deployment of the prince were flexible. “These things aren’t set in concrete. If circumstances really change then we’ll make different judgments. Capturing, killing or hurting Prince Harry would be a huge propaganda coup for the Taliban.”

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Qari Yousef Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Taliban, told The Associated Press: “We attacked that base because Prince Harry was also on it and so they can know our anger. Thousands more suicide attackers are ready to give up their lives for the sake of the Prophet.”

Major Charles Heyman, a former infantry officer and editor of The Armed Forces of the United Kingdom publication, warned against the dangers of “playing into the hands of the Taliban”.

He said: “It is a difficult equation but I think he should be kept there. If we take him away the Taliban will crow that they have just scored a major victory. It would affect the morale of the troops on the ground if Prince Harry was taken out just because there was a threat.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The threat to all our service personnel is continually assessed and all measures taken to mitigate it.”

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