Dozens of Taliban attacked an international military logistics convoy in Afghanistan yesterday, kicking off a fierce battle that left 10 rebels and five Afghan guards dead and three missing, an official said.
The militants ambushed the convoy as it travelled through the southwestern province of Farah to deliver supplies to a base for soldiers in the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, governor Ruhul Amin told AFP.
They attacked vehicles of a US-based security company, USPI, which made up the rear escort of the large convoy, he said.
"Ten Taliban were killed and five USPI security men were killed. Four of guards were wounded and three were abducted at the spot of clash," he said.
Police found the bodies of the dead at the scene of the hours-long battle, he said.
Two four-wheel-drive vehicles were destroyed in rocket fire and the militants took two away with them, along with the missing men, he said. The front end of the convoy, including the supply trucks, were able to drive away.
The fighting was in the Bala Buluk district which has in recent months seen several attacks by militants who say they are aligned with the extremist Taliban movement which was in government between 1996 and 2001.
Militants and bandits regularly attack convoys supplying the thousands of international troops in Afghanistan.