2 soldiers, 14 militants killed in clashes in N. Afghanistan

FAIZABAD - Two Afghan soldiers and 14 Taliban militants were killed in a Taliban predawn attack on a military camp in the country's Badakhshan province, an army source confirmed Friday.

"Taliban militants stormed a joint Afghan National Army and Afghan Regional Army's camp in Yaftal-e-Bala district roughly at 1:00 am (local time)Friday. The security forces responded to the attackers and the clashes left the casualties," Hadi Jamal, a press officer of army's 217 Pamir Corps, said in a statement.

Six regional army personnel and four militants were also wounded during the clashes lasting for hours, he said.

Taliban insurgents were forced back from the district, in the northern outskirts of provincial capital Faizabad, after sustaining casualties.

The mountainous province has been the scene of heavy clashes and fighting for years.

Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, killing government troops as well as civilians.

They frequently attack district offices, military camps, installations and security checkpoints, while the Afghan military respond with airstrikes on militant targets in the countryside.