Forces of U.S. Coalition Battle Gunmen in Eastern Afghanistan

Gunmen in eastern Afghanistan attacked forces of the U.S.-led coalition, touching off a firefight that lasted several hours, an American military spokesman said today.

It was not immediately clear whether American troops were directly involved in the attack in the city of Khost, east of where Operation Anaconda was staged. The operation ended earlier this week, but U.S. forces said they were continuing to pursue any remaining Al Qaeda fighters that might have escaped from the battle zone.

“Last night, terrorists using machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars attacked coalition forces in Khost. We returned fire and continue to develop the situation as we speak,” said Army Maj. Bryan Hilferty, spokesman for the 10th Mountain Division, from Bagram air base north of Kabul, the capital.

Hilferty said he was not immediately aware of any casualties. He would not say how many U.S.-allied troops were in the area.

The Afghan Islamic Press, based in Peshawar, Pakistan, reported that militants using heavy machine guns and rockets attacked two U.S. bases in Khost.

The news agency said one attack occurred at Khost airport southeast of the city, while the second took place three miles northeast of the city, where U.S. troops are training Afghan soldiers.