Clashes kill 6 security men in NE Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Jan 3 (KUNA) -- At least six security personnel have been killed and 15 others including two civilians were injured during a clash with Taliban rebels in Afghanistan's northeastern Badakhshan province, said officials on Tuesday.
Crime branch chief, Sakhi Haideri confirming the clashes said that the clash took place during a clearing operation in the Yaftal Bala locality on the outskirts of Faizabad, the provincial capital. The fighting was still underway in the area that reportedly killed four Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and two policemen so far.
Eight soldiers and five policemen and two civilians have been wounded in the clashes. Taliban rebels have not yet commented about the clashes.
The clashes came at a time when Afghan security forces have paced up their offensive against the rebels across Afghanistan to maintain law and order situation in the country. (end) sbk.mt