An Afghan official says the Taliban have attacked a military outpost in northern Faryab province, killing three soldiers and wounding six.

Regional army spokesman Mohammad Anif Rezai says the attack took place in Shirin Tagab district early on Thursday.

He says reinforcement were sent but were unable to reach the site because of land mines and Taliban ambushes along the way.

Rezai says intense fighting is still underway and that the government has ordered 40 commandos airlifted to help the soldiers at the outpost.

He says that so far, five insurgents have been killed in the fighting and seven wounded.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but the Taliban have lately stepped up their assaults on Afghan troops and government officials as part of their spring offensive.

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