At least 15 Afghan security personnel have been killed in fighting with Taliban militants in the western province of Farah, a provincial official said.
Farid Bakhtawar, head of the provincial council, said seven army commandos and eight police were killed in the Bala Buluk district after a predawn attack by the Taliban.
Bakhtawar said three other security personnel are missing and more than 30 militants were killed in the battle that ended after air strikes were called in.
Defense Ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said only four members of the Afghan special forces had been killed and a number wounded.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujhaid claimed responsibility for the attack.
Farah, located along the border with Iran, has been the scene of intense Taliban attacks in recent weeks.
The Kabul government has deployed hundreds of additional troops to the province to thwart the Taliban's offensive.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP