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CNN: More Intruders Spotted; Flares Fired
POSTED: 12:15 p.m. EST February 14, 2002
UPDATED: 12:32 p.m. EST February 14, 2002
Flares fired from U.S. positions at the American base at the Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan started a major fire on the base's perimeter Thursday.
There was no immediate indication what was burning, but new intruders were spotted.
The fire has been extinguished and no gunfire was exchanged. It is unclear whether the intruders played a role in the explosions that preceeded the fire or whether the fire simply started from a flare that hit dry ground.
The fire spanned about 250 yards at the end of a runway at the base, according to a CNN report from Kandahar. The fire threatened neither residences in Kandahar nor American military structures at the base, according to the report.
Military officials said an attack, which they called "well-organized," Wednesday on the base left two soldiers slightly hurt. Intruders moved within 50 yards of U.S. positions, prompting a firefight and the dispatch of U.S. attack helicopters that pushed the attackers back.
One soldier cut a finger and another was grazed on his neck by a bullet. Both were back on duty Thursday.
The base remains on a state of alert that begin with Wednesday's attack.
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From Department of Justice: The fire has been extinguished and no gunfire was exchanged. It is unclear whether the intruders played a role in the explosions that preceeded the fire or whether the fire simply started from a flare that hit dry ground.
The fire spanned about 250 yards at the end of a runway at the base, according to a CNN report from Kandahar. The fire threatened neither residences in Kandahar nor American military structures at the base, according to the report.
Military officials said an attack, which they called "well-organized," Wednesday on the base left two soldiers slightly hurt. Intruders moved within 50 yards of U.S. positions, prompting a firefight and the dispatch of U.S. attack helicopters that pushed the attackers back.
One soldier cut a finger and another was grazed on his neck by a bullet. Both were back on duty Thursday.
The base remains on a state of alert that begin with Wednesday's attack.Copyright 2002 by NewsNet5.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
