Over 90 militants killed as Afghan Taliban, ISIS clash

ISIS militants attacked the Taliban in Jawzjan province of Afghanistan; 76 Taliban and 15 ISIS militants were killed

Kabul, April 26: Afghan officials say ISIS militants have attacked the Taliban in the northern Jawzjan province, igniting heavy clashes in which dozens of fighters were killed.

Mohammad Reza Ghafori, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said on Tuesday that the fighting, which began the day before, has killed 76 Taliban fighters and 15 from the ISIS affiliate.

He says the ISIS militants seized two districts from the Taliban.

The Taliban and ISIS are both fighting to overthrow Afghanistan’s US-backed government and impose a harsh version of Islamic rule, but they are bitterly split over leadership and tactics.The ISIS affiliate is largely made up of disgruntled ex-Taliban fighters.

Abdul Hafiz Khashyee, a police official, says the fighting took place in a remote area and there were no reports of civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, authorities have arrested 35 soldiers who served on an Army base in northern Afghanistan where the Taliban staged a deadly attack last week, officials said on Wednesday, as fears grew they had inside help.

The defence ministry released its official toll of 135 recruits killed in the assault on the sprawling base, home to the 209th Army Corps, outside the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province on Friday.

“So far 35 people have been detained and are being questioned in connection with the attack,” said 209th Corps spokesman Abdul Qahar Aram, adding that they ranked from foot soldiers to colonel.