Taliban blamed for attacks on Afghanistan security forces that leave 52 dead

TALIBAN INSURGENTS have killed at least 52 people in separate attacks on Afghan security forces in the country’s north.

Local officials said at least 13 security forces were killed and 15 others wounded in an attack on a checkpoint they were manning in Dashti Archi district.

In Jawzjan province, police chief Gen Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani said the Taliban attacked Khamyab district from different sides, forcing Afghan forces to withdraw from the district headquarters to avoid civilian causalities.

Gen Jawzjani said at least eight policemen were killed and three other police were wounded. Seven Taliban were killed and eight were hurt during the gun battle, he added.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group was behind the attacks in Kunduz and Jawzjan provinces.

The Taliban also killed another 14 local Afghan policemen and pro-government militiamen in the Dara Suf district of Samangan province, provincial spokesman Sediq Azizi said, adding that six others were also wounded.

Mr Azizi added that three Taliban fighters were killed and four others were wounded during the battle.

No-one claimed responsibility for the attack in Samangan, but Mr Azizi blamed Taliban insurgents who are active in the province and often target Afghan security forces and local, pro-government militias.

Meanwhile, in the northern Sari Pul province, the provincial governor, Zahir Wahdat, said the Taliban killed at least 17 Afghan security forces and wounded three others in attacks across the province.

He said 39 Taliban fighters were killed and 14 others were wounded in the battles, adding that the death toll could rise.

Since a June ceasefire that marked the Islamic holiday of Eid al Fitr, Taliban insurgents have ramped up attacks against Afghanistan’s security forces, killing hundreds of security personnel across the country.