TALIBAN ATTACK ON CHECKPOINT KILLED 14: KABUL

Kabul, May 29: Taliban fighters attacked an army checkpoint in eastern Afghanistan, killing 14 military personnel, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.

The Taliban took responsibility for Thursday’s attack in Paktia province, calling it a “defensive action,” without elaborating.

Javid Faisal, spokesman for the Afghanistan national security adviser’s office, said despite sporadic clashes, a truce in effect during the three-day Muslim holiday of Id-ul-Fitr, which ended on Tuesday, would continue.

The Taliban accused the Afghan government of carrying out an airstrike on Wednesday killing several civilians. The government said the target was Taliban fighters.

Neither side appeared ready to return to all out fighting, however. “The détente that started during Id-ul-Fitr continues despite reports of scattered incidents to the contrary,” Faisal said. Meanwhile, a team of five Taliban members were in Kabul discussing the release of Taliban and Afghan government prisoners. — AP