KABUL – *Thirty security forces including national and local policemen havebeen killed in a Taliban attack on Teshkan district of northern Badakhshanprovince, a local official said Sunday.*

The incident happened at around 04:00 am on Sunday when the Taliban stormedthe district, following their so-called “Al Khandaq” offensive.

According to Javid Majidi, Badakhshan’s provincial council member, theTaliban also held three policemen in captive.

The provincial police chief Kiramat Jahangir, however, said that fivepolicemen were dead in the attack.

He added that nine Taliban militants were killed and 13 others wounded inthe incident.

The Taliban confirmed their attack on Teshkan district of the province,claiming that it left dozens of pro-government forces dead.