9 dead in Afghanistan battle

Kabul, Sept 7: At least nine people, including eight militants, were killed on Monday in a battle between Taliban militants and security forces in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, police said.

"Eight militants were killed when Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in Narai district at 4.00 a.m. (local time) on Monday," Xinhua quoted provincial police chief Abdul Habib Sayedkhili as saying.

Narai district of Kunar province is 185 km east of the Afghan capital Kabul.

One Afghan soldier has been killed and 15 others including 12 insurgents and three security personnel sustained injuries in the battle which lasted for three hours, the official said.

Taliban militants active in Kunar province are yet to comment.

IANS