A suspected car bomb attack has taken place at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, Sky Sources have revealed.

The explosion came as US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta flew into Camp Bastion. It is believed that Mr Panetta was still landing or had landed at the time of the alleged attack, but it is not clear if he was a target.

Sky’s Stuart Ramsay said the explosion was caused when a vehicle drove on to the runway either during or after the landing.

Sky Sources have been told the explosion was caused by the driver of the vehicle. An investigation has now been launched into the driver’s identity. 

The driver, who appears to have survived the attack, has been taken into custody and is being treated for burns. It was not clear whether Mr Panetta was a specific target or not. Sky Sources said the explosion did appear to be an “attack of some description”.

The base was put on immediate lockdown after the explosion this morning – but Mr Panetta is in Kabul this afternoon and in talks with the government.

The attack comes just days after a lone US soldier went on a rampage and murdered 16 Afghan civilians.

Tensions between the US and Afghanistan are running high in the wake of the shootings.

Extra security measures in place for Mr Panetta’s visit showed how nerves were on edge. 

He landed at Camp Bastion so that he could visit troops at the US Camp Leatherneck, part of the same complex. 

More to come…