Taliban better armed than French in Afghanistan: report

MONTREAL (AFP) - The Taliban fighters that ambushed French soldiers in Afghanistan on August 18 were well-trained and better armed than their enemy, according to a Nato report published in the Globe and Mail.

Ten French soldiers were killed - including one stabbed to death - and another 21 wounded in the attack by about 100 Taliban in Sarobi, 50km east of Kabul.

The 30 French paratroopers that were ambushed did not have enough bullets or proper communication equipment, the newspaper said, citing a leaked Nato document marked “Secret.”

That forced the French to stop fighting after only 90 minutes, the newspaper said.

Among them the soldiers had only one radio which was quickly knocked out, leaving them unable to call for air support.

The Taliban fighters also included snipers, and fighters used incendiary bullets that punches holes in armoured vehicles.

“The enemy’s accuracy was very good,” the document said, according to the newspaper.