KABUL, Apr 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – More than 50 people, majority of them armed insurgents, were killed over the past 24 hours in Afghanistan, following Washington’s decision to pull out its forces from the country.
In the latest wave of violence, Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint outside Taluqan city, the capital of northern Takhar province, early yesterday, killing four pro-government militiamen and wounding five others, provincial police spokesman, Abdul Khalil Asir, confirmed.
In a tit-for tat reaction, security forces attacked a Taliban group in Imam Sahib district, in neighbouring Kunduz province hours later, leaving two insurgents dead and captured four others, a pro-government militia commander, Mohammad Ismael, said.
U.S. President, Joe Biden, announced Wednesday, to begin withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan from May 1, and the process will be completed by Sept 11.
Afghan fighting planes targeted a gathering of Taliban militants in Khashrod district, in western Nimroz province, killing 22 militants, on Friday, according to a statement of the Defence Ministry.
Following the airstrikes, Units of Special Force stormed a Taliban detention centre, in the restive Khashrod district and rescued 20 security personnel, including 17 soldiers and three policemen, said the army.
More than 20 militants were killed, as the ground forces, backed by helicopter gunships attacked Taliban hideouts in Qarabagh district, in eastern Ghazni province over the past 24 hours, according to the army.
According to security officials, four militants were killed in Balkh district, in northern Balkh province and three policemen lost their lives in a car bomb, in western Herat province, since Friday.
Spokesman for the Defence Ministry, Rohullah Ahmadzai, accused the Taliban of increasing violence, saying, the armed outfit has stepped up attacks to gain ground, but the government forces are capable enough to foil the attempts of the insurgents.
In the meantime, a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, in contact with the media said, the U.S. should leave Afghanistan on May 1, as agreed in the Doha peace agreement, inked in Feb last year, warning the violation of the accord could complicate the situation.– NNN-AGENCIES
