At least 23 Afghan security forces killed in Taliban attack on US-Afghan base

At least 23 Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on a joint US-Afghan base in southwestern Afghanistan, officials said Friday, as fighting continues amid a pause in peace talks between the insurgents and American negotiators.

"The operation is over -- 23 security forces killed, 15 injured and 20 insurgents killed," said Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, a spokesman with the Ministry of Defence.

A separate source from the provincial government also confirmed the toll.