NATO: 15 insurgents killed in eastern Afghanistan

KABUL -- Afghan and NATO troops killed 15 insurgents in a battle in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, the military alliance said.

The joint force repelled a "complex attack" on their small base in Paktia province by insurgents using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, NATO said.

"Attack helicopters were called in to engage the insurgents and protect the ground forces," it said in a statement.

No Afghan or foreign troops were killed in the five-hour clash, it said. Most NATO troops in the east are American.

Taliban militants have stepped up their attacks across Afghanistan as President Barack Obama's administration has ordered 21,000 new U.S. troops to join the fight in the hope of reversing recent militant gains.