Taliban attack kills nine US soldiers
Sunday, 13 Jul 2008 21:38
Up to nine US soldiers believed dead after Taliban militants attack remote outpost in north-east Afghanistan
Pakistan In Focus
Pervez Musharraf's resignation leaves a big hole in Pakistani politics – one which analysts expect the west will look to the military to fill. Full Story
Nine US soldiers have been killed after Taliban militants attacked a remote outpost in north-east Afghanistan.
The nationalities of the fallen soldiers have not been officially confirmed but the vast majority of foreign troops in Darai-i-Pech district in the province, which borders
Pakistan, are American.
Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said 15 of its soldiers and four from the Afghan army were injured in the attack, which began at 04:30 local time (01:00 BST).
"The fighting began in early morning hours and continued into the day as insurgents were repulsed from an Afghan national army and Isaf combat outpost," a statement said.
"Although no final assessment has been made, it is believed insurgents suffered heavy casualties during several hours of fighting."
A spokesperson elaborated: "Insurgents [fired] at the combat outpost with small arms, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars using homes, shops and the mosque in the village of Wanat for cover."
The deaths of nine soldiers in a single incident marks one of the deadliest days for the coalition since the 2001 invasion.