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Taliban Raid Kills 14 Afghan Border Forces

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Authorities in Afghanistan said Friday the Taliban has
   killed at least 14 border security forces and injured several others in
   eastern Paktia province.
   The Afghan Defense Ministry said insurgents assaulted outposts in
   Paktia's Dand-e-Patan district, which borders Pakistan, late Thursday,
   but Afghan border forces repulsed the attack and inflicted "heavy
   casualties" on the Taliban.
   The insurgent group claimed credit for what it said was a "defensive
   attack" against "two security outposts the enemy" had built in
   Taliban-held areas. The Taliban statement confirmed the killing of two
   of its fighters in the overnight clashes, saying it also captured an
   Afghan security personnel.
   Battlefield claims made by parties to the Afghan war are usually
   difficult to verify from independent sources.
   Earlier this week, the Taliban killed at least 14 Afghan security
   personnel in northern Parwan and western Farah provinces.