15 guards killed in Taliban attack

Taliban fighters killed 15 Afghan guards working for a US security company who were guarding a convoy of fuel tankers driving through western Afghanistan, an official said today.

Between six and eight vehicles with USPI – US Protection and Investigations - were guarding a convoy of fuel tankers when the Taliban attacked, Farah Governor Muhaidin Baluch said.

Fifteen USPI guards were killed and five were wounded, Mr Baluch said.

One fuel tanker was set on fire and the militants stole one of USPI’s vehicles, he said.

Elsewhere in Farah, fighting between police and militants in Kaki Safe district left two of the militants dead, said General Khail Buz Sherzai, the provincial police chief.