Taliban kill 30 Afghan security forces

Major assaults by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan's western province of Farah bordering Iran, mounted with the aim of weakening the government's grip on the region, have killed at least 30 Afghan security forces, officials said yesterday.

The Taliban have ramped up attacks in strategic provinces in their battle to expel foreign forces, topple the Western-backed government and restore their version of hardline Islamic law.

The latest attack comes four days after the Taliban killed 50 police and soldiers at checkpoints in Farah city and nearby districts.

"Unfortunately, many of our men have lost their lives in Farah," said Najib Danish, a spokesman for the interior ministry in Kabul, the capital.

Danish said more than 30 policemen had been killed since Wednesday and additional forces were being deployed.