Insurgents attack security checkpoint

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Forty Taliban insurgents were killed in a battle with Afghan security forces in the country's eastern province of Paktika, a provincial governor said.

Provincial Gov. Mohammad Akram Khapalwak said the battle took place after the insurgents attacked government checkpoints in Sarobi district, China's Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday.

Khapalwak said Afghan troops called in air support and 40 Taliban fighters died in the Tuesday battle.

A man claiming to be the Taliban commander in the area told reporters only three Taliban fighters had been killed and government troops suffered huge casualties.