KUNDUZ: Taliban killed at least 14 Afghan National Army (ANA) and woundedfour others after an attack in restive Dasht-e-Archi district ofnortheastern Kunduz province, officials said Thursday.
Nasruddin Nazari, administrator of Dasht-e-Archi district, confirmed toAfghan Islamic Press (AIP) in an update that 14 ANA troops were killed andfour more wounded after Taliban fighters attacked the ANA base in Kaltrasharea of Dasht-e-Archi district.
He had earlier said that an unknown number of ANA troops were killed andwounded in the attack.
Earlier, security sources had told AIP that the attacked carried out fromdifferent directions left 10 ANA troops dead and eight more wounded.
The source said the fighting lasted for two hours and ended with theretreat of Taliban, adding there also casualties to Taliban but its countwas unclear.
Afghan defense ministry confirmed eight ANA casualties from the attack,saying several Taliban were also killed and wounded during the clash.
Taliban claimed the attack on ANA base was part of their spring offensive“Al-Khandaq”.
Meanwhile, the Taliban fighters also attacked several security posts inKhalazai area of Pul-e-Khumri, capital of neighbouring Baghlan province,causing no damage to government forces, said Zabihullah Shuja, spokesman ofBaghlan police.
He said five Taliban were killed and seven more wounded in retaliatoryaction by Afghan forces. The Taliban attacked the centre of Yangi Kala,Takhar province, said Abdul Khalil Aseer, spokesman of Takhar police.
He said the security forces repulsed the attack, killing three Taliban andwounding two others, adding two cops also wounded in the clash.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that 19 ANA troops were killedand six more wounded in the Dasht-e-Archi attack.
He said the Taliban attacked mounted attacks on Yang Kala district centreand surrounding security posts, capturing 19 posts and causing casualtiesto a large number of troops.
Mujahid conceded that three Taliban sustained injuries in the clash.
He also claimed killing and wounding numerous government troops includingCommander Mohibullah in Pul-e-Khumri clash but denied casualties to theirfighters in Dasth-e-Archi and Pul-e-Khumri.
Taliban announced the launch of traditional spring offensive codenamed“Al-Khandaq” across Afghanistan April 25, saying the operation would focuson targeting NATO-led forces and their Afghan partners. Afghan defenseministry, however, termed the announcement as propaganda, saying the Afghansecurity forces would never allow the Taliban to make any advancement.