19 Afghan police personnel, pro-govt militias killed in checkpoint clashes

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan: At least 19 Afghan police personnel and members of allied pro- government tribal militias were killed after the Taliban stormed security checkpoints in the northern province of Balkh overnight, a provincial council official said Wednesday.

“Scores of militants stormed two Afghan Local Police (ALP) and allied pro- government tribal militias, known as local uprising groups in the Timorak locality of Chahar Bolak district Tuesday night. The clashes left 19 ALP and local militias killed,” Sayyed Abdullah Masror told Xinhua news agency.

Three people were wounded and nine others went missing after the gunfight, the source said, adding the militants also seized weapons and ammunition of the post before setting three armoured military vehicles ablaze.

The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts nationwide where the army and police have limited presence.

General Mohammad Akram Saame, provincial police chief, when approached by Xinhua confirmed the clashes and the inf licted casualties on the side of security forces.

The Afghan security forces’ casualties have risen since the beginning of 2015 when Afghan soldiers and police assumed full responsibilities of security from the US and Nato troops.

Nearly 50 Afghan security force members lost their lives and many others wounded during clashes in the country within the past several days. — Bernama