Taliban attacks kill 15 security men in N. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- At least 15 security personnel were killed and two others received injuries in two different attacks by Taliban rebels in Afghanistanآ’s northern Balkh and Takhar province, said officials on Wednesday.
Balkh highway police commander, Fawad Saleh in a statement to media said that at least eight policemen were killed in a Taliban attack that took place at a highway police checkpoint in Alam Khail village of Balkh province.
There were 14 soldiers at the checkpoint, located on the Balkh-Jawzjan highway, where six soldiers survived the attack, Saleh said.
The official accused Taliban of the attack but the group has not commented on the incident yet.
Moreover, at least seven army soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack in Darqad district of Takhar province, said provincial governor's office on Wednesday.
The incident occurred when a group of Taliban militants attacked a joint forces checkpoint.
A governor spokesman, Mohammad Jawad Hijri confirming the attack said that the number of dead security force members was seven while two others received injuries.
The official claimed that 11 Taliban were also killed and five fighters were injured in the exchange of fire. Hijri said the Taliban fled the area after suffering heavy casualties.
Earlier last week, at least 10 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed in a bomb attack by Taliban rebels near a military base in Afghanistanآ’s southern Helmand province.
The attack came at a time when Taliban have increased their attacks in recent days amid delegation-level peace talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban that took place in Qatar, Doha. (end) sbk.mt