Taliban suicide bombers along with gunmen launched an attack on a U.S. base in Nagarhar province, based near the Pakistan border of the eastern Afghanistan.

The attack instigated a 3 hour shootout, according to officials. On the other hand, no member belonging to the NATO mission has been reportedly hurt, according to the International Security Assistance Force officials. The mission in Afghanistan is led by the U.S.

According to Nangarhar governor spokesman Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, NATO supply vans were attacked first by the insurgents.The supply vans were supposed to deliver supplies to NATO in Torkham. Later on, 3 suicide bombers got involved in a gun-fight with the U.S and the Afghan forces and were killed after fighting for about 3 hours. According to officials, the situation is under control at the moment.

Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the responsibility of the attack on behalf of Taliban that has been leading the insurgency against the Afghan regime and Western troops. It has been 12 years since the insurgence began. The statement of responsibility was sent by the Taliban spokesman to the media.

This is not the first time that Taliban fighters have targetted the important route from both sides of the border. The foreign troops led by the U.S. are scheduled to depart the country later in 2013 itself whereas the same is due to leave Afghanistan completely by the end of 2014. Taliban leaders are apparently furious about the presence of the troops in the country.

Jennifer Glasse, the Al Jazeera reporter from Kabul, informed that NATO used helicopters to combat with Taliban fighters. Taliban later informed that 6 soldiers had been killed whereas 10 military vans were destroyed.

The attack obliged NATO to change many of the supply routes. The traffic on the highway that falls between Jalalabad and Torkham was suspended even though no civilians were reportedly injured due to the attack.

Video courtesy: YouTube/AlJazeeraEnglish