Afghan official says insurgents kill 11 soldiers in Farah province

Mohammad Naser Mehri, spokesman for the provincial governor, says four other soldiers were wounded in the gun battle in Bala Buluk district. Mehri said nine insurgents were killed and 13 others wounded.

Mehri said a "large number" of insurgents launched an attack late last night and the battle continued into early today.

The Taliban have not claimed responsibility for the attack but but Mehri blamed the group, which has recently stepped up assaults against Afghan security forces in the province.