link>*KABUL- *Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, claimed in a statement sent tomedia that the attack in Shindand left more than 20 Afghan securitypersonnel dead and insurgents also took away four armored militaryvehicles, or Humvees.

*Taliban insurgents assaulted a security outpost in Shindand district ofHerat Province, killing at least 11 government security forces, officialssaid.*

Four policemen were wounded by a roadside bomb en route to the checkpointto provide backup during the hours-long assault that began late Thursdaynight, Herat provincial governor spokesman Jailani Farhad said.

Shindand district governor Shukrullah Shakir confirmed the casualtyfigures. He added that the checkpoint was eight km from the district centre.