Rockets strike South Korean reconstruction team’s base in Afghanistan; no casualties
By APThursday, July 1, 2010
Rockets hit SKorean Afghan reconstruction base
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea said Thursday that two rockets hit the base for the country’s reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, but no casualties were reported.
About 120 construction and security personnel were at the base in the northern Afghan province of Parwan when the rockets struck Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun said. He said security personnel fired back two rockets in response.
“The site is in a remote location, so it has been difficult to confirm the facts,” Kim said. “An investigation is ongoing, but we have yet to receive the full report.”
Kim said the Taliban or a militant group in the region may have fired the rockets. He said no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The incident came a day before the South Korean reconstruction team was to officially launch its mission.
South Korea withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in 2007 following a hostage standoff in which the Taliban killed two South Koreans after demanding that Seoul immediately remove its forces.
