![Afghan security forces March 4 stand guard after an attack by Taliban militants near an Afghan National Army (ANA) outpost in Kunduz Province. Taliban militants on June 17 killed at least 18 Afghan security personnel in attacks in Kunduz and Jawzjan. [STR/AFP]](/cnmi_st/images/2020/06/17/24598-000_1pl4li-739_416.webp)
MAZAR-E-SHARIF -- Taliban fighters killed at least 18 Afghan security personnel Wednesday (June 17) in two attacks on checkpoints in the north, officials said, in the latest violence ahead of expected peace talks.
In one pre-dawn raid, militants killed 12 Afghan security force members when they stormed a checkpoint in Jawzjan Province, Abdul Marouf Azar, spokesman to the governor, told AFP.
"Twelve security personnel including army soldiers were killed, five were injured and four were captured by the Taliban," he said.
Five Taliban members were killed in the fighting, which ended after Afghan reinforcements arrived at the scene, he said.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack and said six of its soldiers were among the dead.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility but gave a higher toll.
Fighting in Kunduz
Separately, Taliban fighters were blamed for a raid on an army outpost in Kunduz.
Six soldiers were killed in combat that lasted about five hours, said Aminullah Iddin, a member of the provincial council.
Army spokesman Col. Abdul Hadi Jamal confirmed the battle, saying four Taliban militants were killed.
The Taliban have not commented on that raid.
The latest bloodshed comes as the insurgents and the Afghan government appear to be moving closer towards potential peace negotiations.
The much-delayed talks aimed at ending the conflict are expected to begin once the two sides complete a prisoner swap accelerated after a brief ceasefire last month.
Officials claim the Taliban have stepped up attacks in recent days, although there has been an overall drop in violence across the country since the ceasefire ended.
Taliban martyred 6 of the local policemen in Imam Saib District of Kunduz Province yesterday, while the government did not ask for it at all. At least 10 government soldiers were martyred in Taliban's attacks in Imam Saib District last month.
Reply4 Comment
May God make Taliban just. When will you become human and stop killing of Muslims? It is enough; a lot of blood has been shed in this country and you are also responsible for killing of many innocent people. Fear from God a little and stop the war.
Reply4 Comment
Security situation all over Afghanistan is very bad. If Afghan government and the international community especially America would not make a proper decision, the situation in Afghanistan will get even worse. Tens of Afghan National Army and National Police forces are killed in the country every day. How long will these killings go on? Why countries of the region are not putting a full stop to the Afghan war? Why some countries still consider the Afghan war legitimate? Is it legitimate in Islam to kill a Muslim? Why are Taliban not making an agreement and ceasefire with the government of Afghanistan? I call on both sides; Taliban and the government that for the sake of God, end this Afghan killer fighting.
Reply4 Comment
I think a nationwide ceasefire should be declared before talks begin between the Afghan government and Taliban. Afghan government must put pressure on Taliban-supporting countries, such as Pakistan, Qatar, and Arab states to convince Taliban to declare a ceasefire. When Taliban negotiations with the United States took 18 months in order to sign an agreement on the withdrawal of US troops, intra-Afghan talks may take more than two years for the group to reach an agreement with the Afghan government, and it is still not clear whether the group reaches to agreement or not. So if Taliban's war against government forces continues during the talks, I think it will be great atrocity against the Afghan people, because at least 100 Afghan government forces are killed every day, God knows how many civilians may be killed. So I think that before the intra-Afghan talks begin, a nationwide ceasefire should be declared in Afghanistan, and the Afghan government can do this by reaching a consensus with the countries of the region to convince Taliban to do so, but if Taliban do not do so, those countries should impose sanctions on Taliban. I think if Pakistan alone puts pressure on Taliban and imposes sanctions on Taliban, Taliban will declare ceasefires immediately.
Reply4 Comment