(AhlulBayt News Agency) - The TOLO News broadcaster reported Saturday citing local authorities that the district located in country's province of Paktia was attacked by some 1,200 Taliban fighters on Friday night.
The media outlet added that during the attack 30 security force members were killed.
Afghanistan is in a state of political and social turmoil, fighting the continuing Taliban insurgency, with other extremist groups such as Daesh expanding their activities in the country as well.
Meanwhile, Khaama Press quoted provincial governor’s spokesman Naqibullah Atal as saying that at least five policemen have been killed during the clashes.
At least five other policemen have been also reported wounded in the shoot-out with the militants.
The fall of the district comes after furious protests by the Afghan people against the central government’s inaction on the fate of the 200 soldiers who had been besieged in the area.
Afghan government forces have launched operations against the Taliban in 18 provinces of Afghanistan as fighting has intensified since the start of the militants' spring offensive in April.
Thousands of civilians in the province of Helmand have also fled their homes in the past weeks as fierce fighting raged between Afghan forces and Taliban fighters, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
The Taliban briefly captured northern Kunduz city in September last year, the first city to fall to the militants in their biggest victory in 14 years of war.
The Taliban also effectively control or contest 10 of the 14 districts in Helmand, the deadliest province for British and US forces in Afghanistan over the past decade.
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source : Sputnik
Saturday
27 August 2016
1:16:02 PM
774805
The TOLO News broadcaster reported Saturday citing local authorities that the district located in country's province of Paktia was attacked by some 1,200 Taliban fighters on Friday night.