Taliban attack leaves 11 army soldiers dead in N. Afghanistan

MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 army soldiers were killed and 21 others injured as Taliban attacked an army base in Faryab province, north of Afghanistan, on Saturday night, a local official said Sunday.

"A large group of Taliban rebels attacked an army base in Ghormach district of Faryab province late Saturday, killing at least 11 soldiers and injuring 21 others," Mohammad Tahir Rahmani, head of the provincial council of Faryab, told Xinhua.

The attacking Taliban militants also captured eight soldiers and currently around 180 soldiers inside the base are in siege of Taliban militants, the official added.

Officials with the Afghan defense ministry were not immediately available to make comment.