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Afghan Officials Say Taliban Attacks Killed 16 Security Forces

by Associated Press

   KABUL, AFGHANISTAN --

   Afghan officials say Taliban fighters have attacked several security
   posts in three provinces, killing 16 security forces.

   Ramadan Ali Mooseni, deputy provincial police chief, said Friday the
   Taliban launched an attack the previous night in Ghazni province's
   remote Ajristan district, killing nine security forces and wounding
   seven others. The gun battle also left 25 Taliban fighters dead, he
   said.

   Elsewhere, Taliban insurgents attacked police security posts in the
   Maruf district of Kandahar province, killing five police and wounding
   six. Also, 12 Taliban were killed and 18 wounded, said Zia Durani,
   spokesman for the chief of police.

   Similar attacks Thursday night in southern Uruzgan province left two
   police dead, officials said.