This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8289200.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Soldiers killed in Afghan battle Heavy US losses in Afghan battle
(about 1 hour 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 Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.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. My heart goes out to the families of those we have lost and to their fellow soldiers who remained to finish the fight... Both the US and Afghan soldiers fought bravely together Col Randy GeorgeUS area commander
The attack is thought to have taken place in the Kamdesh district of Nuristan, and lasted several hours.
"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 US area commander, Col Randy George, said his heart went out to the bereaved families, adding that US and Afghan soldiers had "fought bravely together".
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the movement was behind the attack.A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the movement was behind the attack.
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.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.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 when more than 100 fighters breached a US outpost in the village of Wanat on the border of Nuristan and Kunar provinces.
The incident, which is still being investigated, was the biggest American loss of life in battle in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001, and forced US and Afghan soldiers to abandon the village.
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.
US anxiety
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. An insecure security situation has been exacerbated by political uncertainty
The instability has been exacerbated by political uncertainty created by August's presidential poll, which has been marred by widespread fraud allegations.
The commander of the more than 100,000 Nato and US forces in the country, US Gen Stanley McChrystal, has described the situation as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.
But US President Barack Obama - who has already sent thousands of extra troops to the country - says strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on whether to bolster military forces further.