Nato has ordered a security lockdown at its massive base in central Afghanistan after a car surged on to an airfield and burst into flames just as the US defence secretary landed for an official visit.
The incident happened as Leon Panetta touched down at Camp Bastion in Helmand province and prompted a security alert as investigators tried to establish whether he was the target of an attack.
A man was pulled from the burning car and is now being treated at a hospital on the base. Sources said the vehicle was about 100 metres from Panetta's aircraft when it crashed, and that neither he nor any members of his entourage were in any danger. However, the Nato-led International Security and Assistance Force (Isaf) must now determine whether the driver, thought to be an Afghan, was involved in a failed terrorist plot.
Though details remain sketchy, the Pentagon confirmed the vehicle involved was a pickup truck that had been stolen from a soldier in a car-jacking shortly before it drove at speed on to the runway.
"Cheez Sarge, stolen truck on the runway just as the Boss lands. Think it might be terrorists?"
"I dunno, Kowalski, I dunno." |
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