GHAZNI CITY – Afghan Taliban have captured alive 15 security forces inAjristan district of southern Ghazni province, an official said onWednesday.

Provincial police chief Col. Farid Ahmad Mashal told a press conferencehere that fierce fighting had been ongoing between security forces andTaliban militants in the district over the past few days.

He said during the ongoing clashes 15 security forces were held caprive byTaliban insurgents and efforts by tribal elders were underway to releasethem.

He said their information showed the arrested security forces were stillalive. He added commando forces were dispatched to the area on Wednesdaymorning in order to control and stabilize the security situation.

But a resident of the area, Hazrat Mohammad, said the Taliban caught 20security forces.

“When the assault took place, ammunition with these soldiers finished, thusthe Taliban captured them alive and they include one of my relatives,” saidthe resident.

On the other hand, the Taliban also confirmed the incident. Their spokesmanQari Yousf Ahmadi claimed 33 security forces were killed and 21 otherscaptured alive in the Ajristan district.