13 killed in Afghanistan fight: Governor

There has been an increase in Taliban attacks this year against Afghan and foreign forces, mainly in south and southeastern Afghanistan.

Taliban insurgents attacked a border police post in southeastern Afghanistan, sparking a gunbattle which left three policemen and 10 rebels dead, a provincial governor said on Tuesday.

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A group of militants tried to storm the checkpost in the Gomal district of unruly Paktika province late on Monday and fled after an hour-long battle, governor Mohammed Akram Khepelwak said.

"Three border police were martyred and 10 Taliban were killed in the one-hour fighting in Gomal district," he said.

Three police officers were also wounded in the incident, he added.

Taliban spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.

There has been a drastic increase in Taliban attacks this year against Afghan and foreign forces, mainly in south and southeastern Afghanistan.

Two US troops and an Afghan soldier were killed in a firefight on Monday with insurgents in eastern Kunar province, the US-led coalition said in a statement.