Afghan militants attack base

The Afghan government says militants are attacking an Italian military base in western Afghanistan. A suicide attacker blew up a bomb-packed car outside the base and a gunbattle is ongoing.

Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary says there are casualties from the blast but did not say if that meant dead or wounded.

A Nato spokesman confirmed that there has been an attack near the Italian military compound in Herat city but said he had no further information.