Afghan troops die in suicide attack

Paktika shares a long border with the tribal regions of Pakistan.

Afghan authorities often accuse Pakistan of turning a blind eye to fighters crossing into Afghanistan, allegations that the government in Islamabad have denied.

Meanwhile, the US-led multinational force and Afghan troops claim to have killed several Taliban members in a firefight in Helmand province on Saturday.

A US military statement said: “Afghan national security and coalition forces engaged and killed several Taliban fighters today.”