Six Afghan Workers Killed at Bagram as Trump Seeks Base Return

Lead Six Afghan civilian workers died late on Thursday night at Bagram Air Base in Parwan province, while President Donald Trump announced efforts to reclaim the former U.S. facility from Taliban control.

Nut Graf The overnight fatal shooting underscores ongoing security challenges around Bagram, once the largest U.S. military hub in Afghanistan, even as Washington publicly pursues negotiations to regain strategic access to the base.

Worker Deaths at Bagram

  • Local officials report that six Afghan contract workers were killed by unidentified gunmen outside the base perimeter on the evening of September 18, 2025.
  • The victims were employed in logistics support roles; details on their nationalities and exact circumstances remain under investigation.
  • Afghan security forces have cordoned off the area and begun questioning witnesses; no group has claimed responsibility.

Trump Pushes for Base Reacquisition

  • Speaking alongside U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, President Trump stated the U.S. is “trying to get back” Bagram Air Base because “they need things from us” and highlighted its proximity to China’s nuclear sites.
  • Trump criticized the 2021 withdrawal under his successor, arguing the base’s strategic value extends beyond Afghanistan.
  • U.S. officials have neither confirmed formal negotiations with the Taliban nor disclosed proposed terms for the base’s return.

Security and Strategic Implications

  • Bagram’s vast infrastructure, including airstrips and intelligence facilities, remains a coveted asset for counterterrorism and regional stability efforts.
  • Persistent attacks on civilian contractors signal that Taliban security commitments may be limited, raising questions about the viability of any transfer agreement.
  • Analysts warn that U.S. reentry could provoke competing regional powers, including China and Iran, while offering Afghanistan’s government a potential boost in security capacity.

Outlook

Afghan authorities and international partners now face the dual challenge of safeguarding remaining personnel around Bagram and clarifying Kabul’s role in any U.S.-Taliban arrangements. Further developments hinge on back-channel diplomacy and on-the-ground security assessments.