KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Mar 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) – At least 19 Afghan soldiers and police were feared killed, in Taliban insurgents’ overnight attacks, in two provinces, authorities said today (Wednesday).
In one attack in Kunduz province, 12 Afghan soldiers were killed and four others wounded, after Talibans stormed an army base in Bagh-e-Sherkat, a locality in northern outskirts of provincial capital Kunduz city, Fawzia Jawad from the provincial council, said.
Jawad said, several Taliban militants were also killed and wounded during the fierce midnight clashes.
In a separate Taliban attack, four Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel and three militants were killed, after militants attacked security checkpoints in Tapa-e-Muarch area, in the east of the city, according to ALP official, Mohammad Yaseen.
The attacks in Kunduz were reportedly launched by the Talibans’ so-called Sara Keta or Red Unit.
In neighbouring Balkh province, three ALP cops were killed, after clashes erupted in Samarqandyan village of Balkh district, district chief, Gul Baz Khan, said.
The violence drastically decreased during a week-long reduction of violence period, ending on Feb 29, when a U.S.-Taliban peace deal was signed in the Qatari capital, Doha.
However, Taliban militants resumed fighting and clashes with Afghan security forces, shortly after the deal was signed.
