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US warns of possible attacks at Afghan celebration
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-18 17:13

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The top US general in Afghanistan issued a rare public warning Monday to Afghans celebrating the country's Independence Day that militants planned to attack civilian, military and government targets. Only hours earlier a suicide bomber killed nine Afghans outside a US base.

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The warning by Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser said "credible intelligence" indicated that militants planned to launch attacks at Monday's independence celebrations. A US military statement said an increase in security and public awareness can "save Afghan lives, defeating the enemies' plan to discredit the Afghan government."

"We recommend to all Afghans to be vigilant at large public events and other locations where crowds gather and report suspicious behavior to security forces," the statement said.

Two hours before the warning was issued, a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a US base in the eastern province of Khost, killing nine Afghan laborers and wounding 13, according to Khost Gov. Arsallah Jamal. Security forces stopped a second car bomber from detonating his explosives.

While Afghan, US and NATO intelligence officials say they often hear of and disrupt plans by militants, rarely does the US go to such lengths to publicize the threat.

All United Nations staff were ordered to work from home Monday as a security precaution, said spokesman Aleem Siddique.

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