Eight U.S. troops killed in fierce Afghan raid

Connecticut (AP)—Militants in Afghanistan killed eight American soldiers near the Pakistan border after an early Saturday morning raid, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the now eight-year war.

The fighters also killed up to seven Afghan troops during the raid, which lasted several hours and began when the militants streamed out of a local mosque inside a small village. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

"This was a complex attack in a difficult area," Col. Randy George, the area U.S. commander, said in a statement. "Both the U.S. and Afghan soldiers fought bravely together."

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said 35 Afghan police are in Taliban custody, taking responsibility for the militant raid.