Taleban raids on Afghan security posts kill 18

0
659

The ministry of defence confirmed the attack and said six of its soldiers were among the dead.




Taleban fighters killed at least 18 Afghan security personnel on Wednesday in two attacks on checkpoints in the north, officials said, the latest violence ahead of expected peace talks.

In one pre-dawn raid, militants killed 12 Afghan security force members when they stormed a checkpoint in Jawezjan province, Maroof Azar, spokesman to the governor, told AFP.

He said four security personnel were captured by the militants and five Taliban fighters were killed in the fighting.

The ministry of defence confirmed the attack and said six of its soldiers were among the dead.

The Taleban spokesman for the group’s fighting forces, Zabihullah Mujahid, gave a higher toll.

Separately, Taleban fighters were blamed for a raid on an army outpost in Kunduz.

Six soldiers were killed in fighting that lasted about five hours, said Aminullah Iddin, a member of the provincial council.

Army spokesman Hadi Jamal confirmed the attack, saying four Taleban fighters were also killed.

The Taliban has not commented on that raid.




The latest bloodshed comes as the insurgents and the government inch closer towards potential peace negotiations.

The much-delayed talks aimed at ending the conflict are expected to begin once the two sides complete an ongoing prisoner swap accelerated after a brief ceasefire last month.

Officials claim the Taleban have stepped up attacks in recent days, although there has been an overall drop in violence across the country since the ceasefire ended.




LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here