US planes in Afghan border clash

Afghan forces backed by US aircraft have clashed with dozens of suspected Taleban fighters near the Pakistan border, US and Afghan officials said.

Casualty reports vary but Afghan General Khialbaz Sherzai said two Afghan soldiers and two Taleban men died in fighting south of Khost town.

The US military said it had inflicted "heavy losses" in Monday's fighting.

General Sherzai said his forces had seen dozens of wounded militants crossing into Pakistan.

He also said one suspected Arab fighter had been captured.

Post attacked

Some reports say the fighting began when suspected Taleban fighters attacked a military post in the Gurbuz district of Khost province, 150km (95 miles) south-east of the capital, Kabul, early on Monday morning.

US Major Rick Peat said: "A B-1 bomber, two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and four AH-1 Cobra helicopters provided air support.

"The militants retreated in panic and were pursued by the attack aircraft," he said.

Major Peat said Afghan forces backed by A-10s clashed with the Taleban a second time four to five hours later.

"Again, the militants retreated after incurring heavy losses," Major Peat said.

Taleban fighters have vowed to disrupt presidential elections set for October.