8 Afghan policemen, 17 Taliban militants killed in clash

Eight Afghan policemen and 17 Taliban insurgents were killed in a conflict in Afghanistan's western Farah province, a statement of the U.S.-led coalition forces said Sunday.

An unknown number of militants attacked the center of Bakwa district from 3 p.m. (1030 GMT) on Saturday, the statement said.

Local police asked for reinforcement, it said, adding coalition forces responded with close air support.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Farah province also arrived at the district center at 8:25 p.m. ( 1555 GMT) to assist in providing security.

"Seventeen insurgents were reported killed in action and eight Afghan policemen were also killed," the statement said.

Two policemen were wounded and one was reported missing, it added. Four police vehicles were burned by insurgents.

About 13,000 coalition troops and 37,000 ISAF soldiers are being deployed in Afghanistan to fight militants and facilitate reconstruction.

Due to rising Taliban-linked insurgency, over 1,100 persons, mostly Taliban rebels, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.

Source: Xinhua