Insurgents storm NATO base in Afghanistan

KABUL -- Violence spiked in southern Afghanistan as militants stormed a NATO military base and attacked a police checkpoint yesterday, a day after gunmen wearing police uniforms killed a U.S. soldier.

The heaviest fighting in Afghanistan this summer has been in the south and east where Afghan forces increasingly are taking charge of security from their international partners. That could signal a rocky transition as foreign combat troops are due to withdraw by the end of 2014.

Most of the attacks over the past two days occurred in the southern Kandahar province, the Taliban's birthplace.

Insurgents attacked a NATO base before dawn yesterday in Kandahar's Shah Wali Kot district, the U.S.-led coalition said.

Fewer than 10 U.S. troops were wounded, and officials believe coalition forces were able to kill seven or eight insurgents, said Navy Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was targeting troop sleeping quarters.

-- AP