Taliban raid on Afghan checkpoint leaves eight dead, ten abducted

A Taliban attack on an army checkpoint in Afghanistan's western Farah province has killed at least eight government soldiers, Abdul Samad Salehi, a provincial council member said on Sunday.

Taliban militants abducted another ten troops in the raid late Saturday night, according to AP, while three insurgents were killed and four others were wounded in a fire-fight.

The Taliban control nearly half the country, and carry out daily attacks mainly targeting security forces.

A roadside bomb in the west of the country killed at least three civilians on Saturday.

The Taliban have mostly targeted troops and police, but have also hit government targets in cities, leaving to heavy civilian casualties.

The Islamic State group have chosen civilian targets, and particularly members of the country's Shia population.

The US invaded the country in 2001, with the Taliban beginning an insurgency against foreign forces and the government.

The Taliban and US have held talks on ending the conflict, which has become increasingly bloody.