14 Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban attack

At least 14 Afghan soldiers were killed after Taliban militants attacked an Army camp in the country's Herat province overnight, officials said on Friday.

"Hundreds of Taliban militants attacked and overran an Army camp in Cheshma area of Shindand district, killing 14 Army soldiers," an official told Xinhua news agency.

The militants also captured 20 Army personnel along with weapons and ammunition and took them to an unknown location after the attack in the restive district, the official added.

He said the militants also suffered casualties but did not give exact figures.

The district has been the scene of heavy clashes as Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints and Army camps from time to time.

Early in June, 17 Afghan soldiers were killed after Taliban stormed an Army checkpoint in Shindand.

The Afghan security forces' casualties have risen recently as they struggle against a surge in attacks by the Taliban militant group and other anti-government fighters.

In Kandahar province, one police officer and two militants were killed after Taliban attacked a police checkpoint in Kandahar earlier on Friday.

--IANS

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