Kabul - At least eight Afghan security forces were killed in a
Taliban attack in northern Afghanistan, an official said Wednesday.
The fighters attacked the security checkpoint in Dasht-e-Archi
district of Kunduz province early Wednesday, a spokesman for the
provincial police, Inamuddin Rahmani, told dpa.
The victims were local police forces, Rahmani said, adding that "five
army soldiers were injured as well."
In the hour-long gun battle 15 insurgents were also killed, Rahmani
said, adding that the the situation in the area was now under
control.
Claiming responsibility for the attack, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah
Mujahid said the group killed 11 and injured six local police.
North-eastern Kunduz province is one of the most fiercely contested
provinces in Afghanistan.
However, attacks on security posts and bases are increasing across
the country and have become a weekly, if not daily, occurrence in
recent months.
As the war intensifies, Afghan security forces are overwhelmed and
demoralized, contributing to NATO's decision to increase the number
of international troops in Afghanistan this year.
Many of the additional soldiers are supposed to help train the Afghan
army and police.