(KUNA) -- British forces opened fire amid a stand-off as they tried to get three wounded marines to safety after a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed Monday. Three members of 45 Commando were injured, one seriously, and two Afghan civilians were killed in the blast as a bomber tried to ram the British vehicles in Kandahar yesterday, the MoD said.But as British forces attempted to transport the casualties to a safe helicopter landing spot they found themselves being pursued by several civilian vehicles, the MoD added. One of the vehicles weaved in front of them in an attempt to block the way, an MoD spokeswoman said.
Despite flares being let off and warning shots fired, some of the pursuers continued to approach the rescuers. "Further shots had to be fired to disable the vehicles," she added. The MoD confirmed that reports that some civilians may have been injured were being investigated.
One of the injured marines was described as "seriously ill", while the others are said to be in a stable condition. "The injured servicemen received first aid at the scene before being evacuated by UK helicopter," the spokeswoman continued. "They are currently receiving medical treatment at an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) medical facility," she said. Next of kin have all been informed and the convoy has returned to Camp Bastion, in Helmand province.