KABUL – *Afghanistan’s interior and defense ministries on Saturdaysaid clashes have intensified in 10 provinces across the country –resulting in an increased casualty toll among all warring parties. *
According to officials, in these fights, the Afghan security forces,Taliban militants suffered heavy losses, TOLO News has reported.
Interior minister Wais Ahmad Barmak said Farah, Ghor and Baghlan are amongthe 10 provinces where clashes have been ongoing between security forcesand Taliban since Thursday.
“Intensified fights are ongoing in over 10 provinces in the country. TheAfghan police fought on the frontline against the enemy to protectAfghanistan and people and have suffered losses,” said Barmak.
The Afghan defense ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish meanwhile said 30Afghan soldiers were killed in fights in Farah, Ghor and Baghlan. Radmanishsaid Taliban and Daesh also suffered heavy casualties in these fights.
“This year is a very important year which will determine our destiny and weare taking care in this regard. Afghanistan’s defense forces will use allthey have to defend Afghanistan and the Afghan people,” said Radmanish.
Sources meanwhile said fatalities among security forces increased recently.This includes the death of 16 soldiers who were killed on the outskirts ofFarah city on Friday night.
“Taliban are equipped with heavy weapons that they received from differentcountries. Also they receive training from time to time and attack securityout posts using different tactics,” MP Humaira Ayubi said.
“Farah police do not have heavy weapons and a number of (listed) soldiersare ghost soldiers,” MP Sarwar Osman Farahi said.
Clashes are meanwhile ongoing in parts of Tala Wa Barfak district inBaghlan province, which fell to the Taliban last week.
“Around 100 security forces along with their equipment were evacuated byhelicopters from different parts of Tala Wa Barfak district,” ZabihullahShuja, Baghlan police spokesman said.