Car bomb outside U.S. base in Afghanistan injures at least two dozen

The attack came on a busy road that connects Kabul with the eastern city of Jalalabad; it is heavily used by military vehicles and civilian cars alike, and Afghans have long complained of the danger to motorists who are caught up in insurgent attacks against Western forces. A bombing on the same stretch of road three months ago targeting a military convoy, killed eight people.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization force said none of its troops was killed in today's bombing, but said those hurt included nine military personnel and 10 civilian contractors. After a series of seesawing casualty reports, Afghan authorities said at day's end that five civilians were injured.

The blast occurred about 8 a.m. close to the entrance to a logistics and support base known as Camp Phoenix, on Kabul's eastern edge. Most of the Western troops stationed there are Americans.