KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – The Taliban say the Afghan soldier who attacked Coalition Allies and killed three British troops is now being sheltered by insurgents.

In a message posted Tuesday on its Web site, the Taliban said the Afghan soldier assigned to a patrol in Helmand Province opened fire on sleeping troops at a base.

It says that after the attack, the soldier fled a Taliban-controlled area, surrendered to them and was taken to a “safe place.”

The Taliban message claimed that eight British soldiers died, not three as the Afghan government and International Coalition reported.

Officials said the motive of the attack was unclear. It was the second time in eight months that an Afghan turned against British troops partnering with local security forces.
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