GHAZNI CITY - Afghan Taliban have captured alive 15 security forces in Ajristan district of southern Ghazni province, an official said on Wednesday.
Provincial police chief Col. Farid Ahmad Mashal told a press conference here that fierce fighting had been ongoing between security forces and Taliban militants in the district over the past few days.
He said during the ongoing clashes 15 security forces were held caprive by Taliban insurgents and efforts by tribal elders were underway to release them.
He said their information showed the arrested security forces were still alive. He added commando forces were dispatched to the area on Wednesday morning in order to control and stabilize the security situation.
But a resident of the area, Hazrat Mohammad, said the Taliban caught 20 security forces.
“When the assault took place, ammunition with these soldiers finished, thus the Taliban captured them alive and they include one of my relatives,” said the resident.
On the other hand, the Taliban also confirmed the incident. Their spokesman Qari Yousf Ahmadi claimed 33 security forces were killed and 21 others captured alive in the Ajristan district.