Taliban fighters attacked part of a U.S. military outpost in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar on Monday (September 2), officials said, less than a week after targeting a Polish base in a nearby province.

Attacks on Afghan security forces and civilians have also mounted this week killing dozens and adding to fears the drawdown of foreign troops, most of whom are due to leave the country by the end of next year, is allowing insurgents to regain lost territory.

"The enemy of our country have set fire near the base run by the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), the attack was in two different locations, the vehicles there were set on fire, three attackers were resisting near the base, all three of them were killed," District Governor Isa Khan Zwak said.

The attack prompted police to shut part of a highway between the provincial capital and Torkham district near the border with Pakistan, a security source said. The base itself was not penetrated.

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