KABUL, Afghanistan — The leader of the Taliban says his fighters have infiltrated the Afghan police and army and are successfully killing a growing number of U.S.-led coalition forces.

Mullah Mohammad Omar released his message Thursday ahead of a holiday this weekend that ends the holy month of Ramadan. The note was emailed to news organizations.

So far this year, 34 foreign troops have been killed in attacks by Afghan forces or militants disguised in Afghan uniforms. The coalition claims only 10 percent of the attacks can be linked to infiltrators.

In his message, the Taliban leader also tells his fighters to protect the life and property of Afghan civilians.

The U.N. says more than three-fourths of the 1,145 civilian deaths in the first six months of this year were blamed on insurgents.

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