Ten dead in Afghan fighting
Ten troops - eight US and two Afghans - killed in fighting in Afghanistan province of Nuristan
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Sunday, 04, Oct 2009 02:51
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Ten soldiers - eight American and two Afghans - have been killed in a pitched battle with Taliban troops in the Nuristan province in the east of the country.
The attack is said to be the deadliest day of fighting in more than a year for the coalition, who have been ensconsed in the troubled country since late 2001.
Several military outposts were attacked by enemy forces, according to Nato, and local reports suggest some officials, including a police chief, were captured.
"Coalition forces effectively repelled the attack and inflicted heavy enemy casualties while eight Isaf and two ANSF [Afghan National Security Forces] members were killed," the Nato statement said.
The attack is said to have occurred when around 300 militants launched an offensive against two outposts on a hill, one an Afghan-controlled barracks and another a US base.
American fighter jets were called in and carried out air strikes in response to the attack.