Around 25 Afghan soldiers died as they repelled an attack by the Taliban on a military base in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

Afghan forces killed at least nine Taliban insurgents, including three suicide bombers, during the attack, the provincial governor said. Afghan commando forces were clearing the area, he said. An official said one of the suicide bombers had blown himself up in a dining room inside the military corps compound, and clashes continued.

Around 25 Afghan soldiers died as they repelled an attack by the Taliban on a military base in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

Afghan forces killed at least nine Taliban insurgents, including three suicide bombers, during the attack, the provincial governor said. Afghan commando forces were clearing the area, he said. An official said one of the suicide bombers had blown himself up in a dining room inside the military corps compound, and clashes continued.