Taliban takes over Afghan army base

Taliban insurgents on Tuesday overran an army base in northern Afghanistan, killing 17 soldiers and injuring 19 others, according to officials. Mohammad Tahir Rahmani, council chief of the northern Faryab province, said the Taliban attacked the base and engaged forces there in a battle for three days before a final push Monday. Rahman said the militants gained control of the base, which housed about 140 Afghan troops, after the soldiers ran out of ammunition and did not receive any reinforcements. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the militants captured 17 soldiers in the battle and 57 others surrendered.

In the eastern provincial capital of Ghazni, Afghan forces continued to push out Taliban fighters who firstadvanced on the city Friday. That attack has so far left about 100 policemen and soldiers and at least 20 civilians dead. Interior Ministry deputy spokesman Nasart Rahim said officials on Tuesday continued to search the city for any remaining militants.