17 soldiers killed as Taliban fighters overran Afghan army base

Taliban fighters overran a northern Afghan army base, officials said today, killing at least 17 soldiers with dozens feared captured in a stinging blow to security forces already struggling to push insurgents from eastern Ghazni.

Militants gained control of the base in Ghormach district of volatile Faryab province, after days of heavy fighting, according to army spokesman for northern Afghanistan Mohammad Hanif Rezaee, adding that 100 soldiers were on the base when it was first attacked Sunday.

According to defence ministry spokesman Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, at least 17 were killed in the attack, while a local MP said ,Talibanfighters captured another 40 in the base,



known as Chenaya.

The Taliban victory in Faryab comes days after militants launched a brazen attack on the southeastern Afghan city of Ghazni late Thursday, some two hours drive from the capital Kabul.

Tahir Rehmani head of Faryab's provincial council said, the base fell after the soldiers begged for reinforcements and air support from Kabul but were ultimately ignored.

The attack on Ghazni is the largest tactical onslaught by the Taliban, since an unprecedented truce in June, brought fighting between security forces and the Taliban to a brief stop, providing battle-worn Afghans some welcome relief.