Taliban claim attack that killed 3 Americans

By

Amir Shah, The Associated Press

A Coast Guard Honor Guard stands in formation during a celebration in honor of outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Fort Myer, Va. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and top military brass praised Hagel at a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Fort Myer-Henderson Hall. Obama said the country is grateful for military progress on Hagel’s watch.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban have claimed responsibility for an attack at the Kabul airport in which a gunman shot and killed three American contractors and one Afghan man.

Friday’s claim came in a message from the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid.

A U.S. and an Afghan official said the shooting happened in the early evening hours Thursday, at the North Kabul International Airport complex. That section is military.

In a statement, Mujahid identified the attacker as Hessanullha from Laghman province. He said the Taliban fighter had infiltrated the ranks of Afghan forces to stage the attack and wore an Afghan police uniform.

The Afghan official, who is with the Defense Ministry said the attacker was in an Afghan army uniform. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still ongoing.