Taliban, security forces suffer casualties during clashes

Monitoring Desk

KUNDUZ: Several police and Taliban gunmen were killed and wounded during clashes in Badakhshan, Kunduz and Badghis provinces over the past 24 hours, Afghan army and officials said Wednesday.

Taliban gunmen attacked security posts in the Faqir area of Raghistan district, Badakhshan province, said Maj. Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, spokesman of Afghan National Army (ANA) 20th Division in Kunduz province.

Police strongly retaliated and requested air support, he told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP), adding six Taliban and a local policeman were killed and eight Taliban wounded in gunfight and airstrikes.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah, however, said three local police were killed and five more wounded while there only two casualties to Taliban.

Meanwhile, six Taliban including two group commanders, Noor Agha and Mullah Muhammad Jan, were killed and three others wounded after an airstrike in the Nawabad area of Imam Sahib district, Kunduz province, Karimi said.

He said two Taliban hideouts and a Humvee was destroyed in the airstrike.

There was no word by Taliban in this regard.

In Darwish Muhammadi area of Bala Murghab district, Badghis province, Taliban attacked police posts, said Ziauddin administrator of the same district. A cops and two Taliban were killed and two police and three gunmen wounded in the ensuing clash that lasted till Wednesday’s morning, he said. The Taliban seized three police posts but later retreated.

Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmadi confirmed the clash, saying besides causing casualties to government forces, the Taliban also seized three posts.

He said a Taliban fighter was also killed and another wounded in the clash.

Taliban local leaders and militants suffer heavy casualties in Helmand operations.