KABUL, Afghanistan -- Insurgents attacked a NATO base in eastern Afghanistan Friday, killing at least seven Afghan security forces and injuring 12 others, local police said.

The attack began when a truck rammed the gates of forward operating base Salerno in Khost province and then the explosives it was carrying detonated.

Slideshow: Afghanistan: Nation at a crossroads

Baz Ratner / Reuters

More than ten years after the beginning of the war, Afghanistan faces external pressure to reform as well as ongoing internal conflicts.

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The blast was followed by small arms fire between the insurgents and the international forces.

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NATO said the situation was under control and troops were clearing the area to make sure no insurgents remained in the vicinity.

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It did not confirm if NATO forces had sustained casualties.

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Violence has surged across Afghanistan since the Taliban began its yearly summer offensive in April, vowing to target Afghan government and security forces, as well as the 130,000 foreign troops in the country.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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