Dozens of Taliban fighters killed, injured in clash over ex-NATO base

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed or injured Thursday in clashes with Afghan security forces over control of a former coalition base, local officials say.

The base formerly occupied by NATO troops in Daykundi province was seized by militants five days ago, Khaama Press reported.

Afghan forces retook the military base Thursday morning, killing at least 26 Taliban fighters and wounding 34.

Provincial governor Abdul Haq Shafiq said local residents assisted security forces in driving the militants from the area.

At least four Pakistani Taliban members in a separate incident in Kunar late Wednesday when explosives in their possession detonated.

The explosives apparently were intended to be used to attack an Afghan military base, said Mohammad Haroon Yousufzai, a spokesman for the 201 Silab Military Corps in eastern Afghanistan.

The spokesman said no civilians or Afghan soldiers were injured in the explosion.