Afghans recapture hub from Taliban

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan security forces recaptured a district headquarters in western Farah province on Monday, just hours after the Taliban overran the police and administrative offices, killing eight policemen, a spokesman said.

The development came as insurgent attacks against security forces have stepped up across Afghanistan, including in Farah province.

In Monday’s assault, the Taliban launched a multipronged attack and stormed the district headquarters in Anardara, which they were able to hold on to for a few hours before Afghan reinforcements arrived.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said that along with the eight killed in the assault, 10 security troops were wounded in the morning attack.

The Afghan forces also carried out heavy airstrikes during the day in Anardara and more than 50 Taliban fighters were reported killed so far, he added.