KABUL — Taliban forces attacked a large coalition airfield in eastern Afghanistan early Sunday morning, detonating three car bombs near the entrance before sparking a two-hour gun battle that claimed the lives of nine insurgents, three Afghan security guards, and at least four civilians caught in the crossfire, Afghan officials said.

Disguised in coalition military uniforms, Taliban fighters attempted to enter the base after the initial suicide bombings, which took place just before 6 a.m., but were repelled by a battery of coalition firepower that included helicopter gunships, officials said.