Afghanistan: Explosion hits US airbase in Bagram

Taliban claim responsibility for the blast in the facility, which houses the largest contingent of US troops.

An explosion has struck the largest US military base in Afghanistan, causing casualties, according to NATO and Afghan officials.

Abdul Shakoor Quddusi, the district governor of Bagram, told Reuters news agency that at least three people were killed and 13 injured in the blast,

which he said occurred near a dining facility early on Saturday.

In a brief statement, the NATO-led Resolute Support mission said: "We can confirm that there was an explosion at Bagram Airfield this morning just after 5:30am (0100 GMT). There have been casualties. Our Force Protection and medical teams are responding to the situation."

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. They step up nationwide attacks before the onset of winter, when fighting usually ebbs.

Bagram Airfield, close to Kabul, has frequently come under attack by Taliban fighters.