100 killed in Afghan unrest

reuters: Afghanistan has seen one of its bloodiest days since the 2001 overthrow of the Taliban, as hundreds of insurgents attacked a southern town and violence flared across the country.

Fighting has raged for hours after insurgents attacked the town of Mosa Qala, 470 kilometres south-west of Kabul, in Helmand province.

The Interior Ministry says 13 policemen and at least 40 Taliban have been killed, taking the death toll across the country to about 100.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks on foreign and Afghan Government forces in recent months as thousands more NATO peacekeepers arrive in the country.

Helmand's Deputy Governor, Amir Mohammad Akhundzada, says it is the biggest attack in the province by the hardline Islamists since they were driven from power more than four years ago.

"We've never seen this sort of fighting in the region, it went on for so long," Mr Akhundzada said.

Fighting has died down but security forces are still searching for Taliban.

Foreign soldiers have not been involved in the battle. Read more


3,300 soldiers and a briefcase of grand plans - but is it mission impossible?