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Soldiers killed in Afghan battle Soldiers killed in Afghan battle
(19 minutes later)
Eight American soldiers and two Afghan troops have been killed in a fire-fight in Afghanistan, officials say.Eight American soldiers and two Afghan troops have been killed in a fire-fight in Afghanistan, officials say.
The battle happened in Nuristan province in the remote east of the country when military outposts were attacked, a Nato statement said.The battle happened in Nuristan province in the remote east of the country when military outposts were attacked, a Nato statement said.
The US military described it as a "complex attack in a difficult area". The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Violence has escalated in eastern Afghanistan in recent months as insurgents have relocated from the south of the country.Violence has escalated in eastern Afghanistan in recent months as insurgents have relocated from the south of the country.
In a statement, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said that tribal militia launched attacks on foreign and Afghan military outposts from a mosque and a nearby village.In a statement, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said that tribal militia launched attacks on foreign and Afghan military outposts from a mosque and a nearby village.
The attack is thought to have taken place in the Kamdesh district of Nuristan.
"Coalition forces effectively repelled the attack and inflicted heavy enemy casualties while eight Isaf and two ANSF [Afghan National Security Forces] members were killed," the statement said."Coalition forces effectively repelled the attack and inflicted heavy enemy casualties while eight Isaf and two ANSF [Afghan National Security Forces] members were killed," the statement said.
The statement did not specify exactly where in Nuristan province the attack took place. A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the movement was behind the attack.
But it said the sources of the conflict in the area involved complicated "tribal, religious and economic dynamics". According to AP news agency, Mr Mujahid also said some 35 Afghan police officers had been taken into Taliban custody, and their fate would be decided by a council.
A local deputy police chief is reported to have said contact had been lost with 19 police officers, though the provincial governor is quoted as denying any such development.
Dangerous provinceDangerous province
It is not the first time coalition forces have suffered damaging attacks in this region, says the BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul.It is not the first time coalition forces have suffered damaging attacks in this region, says the BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul.
Nine US soldiers were killed in a single incident last year.Nine US soldiers were killed in a single incident last year.
The province's mountainous terrain makes it easier for insurgents to sneak up and launch attacks, but more difficult for military forces to access the area, our correspondent says.The province's mountainous terrain makes it easier for insurgents to sneak up and launch attacks, but more difficult for military forces to access the area, our correspondent says.
Nuristan has been for decades been a crossing point for fighters entering the country from Pakistan, he adds.Nuristan has been for decades been a crossing point for fighters entering the country from Pakistan, he adds.
The security situation in northern and eastern Afghanistan has deteriorated since the beginning of the year.The security situation in northern and eastern Afghanistan has deteriorated since the beginning of the year.
The commander of the more than 100,000 Nato and US forces in the country, US Gen Stanley McChrystal, has described the Afghan security situation as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.The commander of the more than 100,000 Nato and US forces in the country, US Gen Stanley McChrystal, has described the Afghan security situation as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.