More than 300 militants attacked an Afghan military convoy in Badghis Province late Thursday, sparking a battle which killed 13 Afghan security forces and injuring 11 others. The militants eventually withdrew, but took with them 16 captured soldiers and most of the 47 vehicles being transported by the convoy.
A number of Taliban were also killed in the battle, 30 according to an Afghan army commander but only 7 according to the province’s Deputy Governor Abdul Ghani Saber.
Violence in Afghanistan is at its highest levels since the international invasion in 2001, and the Taliban has launched increasingly bold and ambitious ambushes in recent months. Admiral Mullen has suggested the situation will get even worse next year.