At least 25 members of the Afghan security forces were killed in an ambush. (Representative)
Kunduz, Afghanistan:
At least 25 members of the Afghan security forces were killed in an ambush blamed on the Taliban in the northeast of the country, officials said on Wednesday.
“The fighting continues and the Taliban have also suffered heavy losses,” Jawad Hejri, a spokesman for the governor of Takhar province, told AFP.
Takhar province health director Abdul Qayoum confirmed the incident, but said 34 security personnel were killed – including the province’s deputy police chief.
“These security forces were on their way to an operation in the district when they were attacked by the Taliban,” Hejri said.
“The Taliban had taken up positions in houses around the area. They ambushed our forces who were there for an operation against the enemy.”
The Taliban have so far not commented on the attack.
It comes as the spiral of violence across Afghanistan is jeopardizing the ongoing peace talks between the extremist group and the government of Qatar.
