WEB DESK / AGENCIES

At least 23 security forces have been killed in a Taliban attack on a joint US-Afghan base in southwestern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said.

Defence Ministry spokesman Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, at the end of the operation, said 23 security men were killed and 15 injured while 20 insurgents were eliminated at the Shorab military base, which is one of the largest military installations in the country.

Omar Zwak, a spokesman for Helmand Governor confirming the toll, said that Taliban deployed at least seven suicide bombers who were killed during the fighting. A US official said no Americans were killed or injured in the attack.The assault on the Shorab base comes as US and Taliban negotiators in Doha have temporarily halted peace talks, which are set to restart today.