Defense Ministry says 3 German soldiers killed in heavy fighting in Afghanistan, 5 wounded

3 German soldiers killed in Afghan fighting

BERLIN — Germany’s Defense Ministry says three German soldiers have been killed in heavy fighting in northern Afghanistan and five were severely wounded.

The German military’s central command in Potsdam said on Friday that the Bundeswehr detachment was patrolling southwest of the city of Kunduz when it was attacked by militants, the spokesman said.

Local government chief Abdul Wahid Omar Khil said German troops and Afghan police exchanged fire with their attackers for about an hour, with fighting resuming three hours later.

He estimated there were about 200 Taliban fighters.