Two U.S. Troops Die After Attack On Bagram Air Base

June 22, 2009 5:55 a.m. EST

Kabul, Afghanistan (AHN) - A mortar attack on Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan on Sunday killed two American soldiers and wounded six others. The attack occurred a week after Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal officially took over as the top Pentagon official in the war-torn nation.

Two coalition soldiers died an six others were injured after "an indirect fire attack" on the base, according to a statement from NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

"On behalf of ISAF, I share our grief and extend our support to the loved ones of these service members," said Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette, ISAF spokesperson. "As we continue this vital mission in support of the Afghan people, we will remember this sacrifice with honour and the utmost respect."

The identities and nationalities of the victims were not released, but reports indicated that they were Americans.

The Taliban, through their spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack on Bagram, which lies 25 miles northeast of Kabul, comes a week after Army Gen. David D. McKiernan was officially replaced by McChrystal as the top U.S. official in Afghanistan.

Violence in the war-torn nation is at the highest level since the 2001 U.S. invasion, and is expected to continue increasing.

"Some of this [violence] will go up, because we are going to go after their sanctuaries and safe havens as we must. There are some difficult times ahead," Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, said earlier this month.

Afghan and U.S. official are also preparing for presidential elections scheduled for Aug. 20.

The United States is currently increasing its troops in Afghanistan by 21,000. The new troops will train Afghan Security Forces following a shift in the U.S. mission to training and increasing the size of the Afghan Army to 134,000 and the police force to 82,000 by 2011.