Six People Killed Outside Main US Base In Afghanistan

A gunman has killed six Afghan nationals who worked at the main American military base in Afghanistan, an official has said.

Three others, also Afghan nationals, were wounded in the attack which happened late on Thursday and around a quarter of a mile from Bagram air base.

An Afghan official said the workers were on their way home when a gunman riding a motorcycle opened fire. The spokesperson also said the gunman escaped.

The Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack.

An affiliate of the so-called Islamic State (IS) is active in the northern areas of Afghanistan and claimed responsibility for firing five rockets at the base earlier this month. There were no casualties. 

The Afghan national security forces have begun an investigation to find the person who attacked the workers, who provided cleaning services at the base.

It comes as the Afghan government and Taliban are in the process of exchanging prisoners as part of a peace deal signed by the US and the Taliban in February.

The release of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 government personnel ahead of intra-Afghan negotiations is a condition of the US-Taliban deal.

Cover image: Library image of Bagram air base in Afghanistan (Picture: US Department of Defense).