Taliban attack in S. Afghan province repulsed

A Taliban offensive against security checkpoints in the southern Uruzgan province has been repulsed, a local official said Sunday.

The attack occurred in the strategically important Chora district of the province, spokesman for the provincial government Dost Mohammad Nayab told Xinhua.

"The enemies launched offensives on security checkpoints around the center of Chora district Saturday morning ensuing heavy fighting," he said, adding that They had attempted to overrun the central bazaar in the besieged district.

The Uruzgan province with Trinkot as its capital 370 km southwest of Kabul has been the scene of Taliban-led increasing insurgency over the past several months.

Chora district, if captured by Taliban, would enable the militant group to threat the provincial capital.

Meanwhile, an official on the condition of anonymity claimed that the Taliban fighters have captured some security checkpoints and fighting has been continuing between security forces and militants in the area.

Taliban militants have yet to comment. Endit