Taliban claims responsibility for blasts that kill 14 people

THE Taliban claimed responsibility yesterday for bombings that killed 14 people, including eight Americans and an Afghan in a suicide attack in the volatile east, and five Canadians in the south. CIA employees were believed to be among the victims.

It was unclear how the bomber at US Forward Operating Base Chapman at the edge of Khost city was able to circumvent security. Khost is the capital of Khost province, which borders Pakistan and is a Taliban stronghold.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that an Afghan National Army officer wearing a suicide vest entered the base and blew himself up inside the gym. A US official who was briefed on Wednesday’s blast also said it took place in the gym.