Kabul: Both the Taliban and Afghan security forces suffered heavy losses after the two were involved in clashes in two provinces of the country.
In the first incident, Afghan government forces killed 20 militants and took over a Taliban base in Sari Pul province, an official said Sunday. Confirming the operation, a provincial government spokesman told that several villages in Sayad district were also recaptured from the militants.
A security personnel was killed while another sustained injuries in the operation which was launched February 12.
In another incident at least eight policemen were killed and three injured after the Taliban stormed a security checkpoint in Balkh province.
“The Taliban attacked a security checkpoint with guns and rocket-propelled grenades Saturday night. Several militants were also killed but their number could not be verified,” an official said.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted that fighters had destroyed the security checkpoint and two police vehicles.
In another incident Friday, 32 Afghan border force personnel were killed in a Taliban attack in Kandahar province.
IANS