Clashes kill 23 rebels, 4 soldiers in N. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- At least 23 rebels and four soldiers were killed as Taliban rebels targeted a security base over the past three days in northeastern Kunduz province of Afghanistan, said officials on Wednesday.
District head Imamuddin Quraishi told media that 23 militants including their four commanders had been killed during clashes with security personnel in Tashguzar area of Imam Sahib district in Kunduz.
He added that four army and local police personnel were also killed in the firefights that left six policemen and ten insurgents injured. Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that the militants had overrun four check posts during the attacks and killed 13 security personnel seizing a large amount of weapons from the check posts, said media reports.
The clashes came at a time when Taliban rebels have paced up their attacks following the withdrawal of NATO/ISAF forces from Afghanistan handing over the security control to Afghan national forces from January 1st. (end) sbk.mt