Afghanistan

[Holger]

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Afghan attacks on US troops increasing

Bagram Airbase _ Afghan militants have increased rocket attacks on US-led troops in recent weeks, firing 10 rockets at bases over the weekend, a US military spokesman said on Monday.

``We have seen an increase in rocket attacks,'' Colonel Rodney Davis said.

Urgun-e base in Paktika province and a base in the southern province of Kandahar came under attack on Sunday but there were no casualties, he said.

``Eight rockets landed near the fire base at Urgun-e last night [Sunday],'' Col Davis said.

u Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah on Monday welcomed a new $1-billion aid package from the United States and hoped other countries would follow suit.

``It is very good news for the people of Afghanistan and is in fact news awaited,'' Mr Abdullah said. _ AFP