Hundreds of Afghan government troops are reported to be fighting up to 50 suspected Taleban rebels in central Uruzgan province. The provincial governor, Jan Mohammad, told the BBC the fighting started when Taleban forces came down from mountain hideouts and killed four government troops.
Speaking from the area, where he said fighting was continuing, Mr Mohammad said Afghan forces had asked the United States military for back-up, after the suspected Taleban called in reinforcements.
He said one Afghan soldier was killed and five others were injured in the fighting.
Uruzgan was part of the heartland of the Taleban government, which was overthrown two years ago.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
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