Afghan security forces have killed 65 Taliban militants during an intense battle in eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday, as fighting rages between the two sides despite ongoing peace talks.
The latest bloodshed came late Wednesday after the Taliban stormed a military headquarters building in the Wazi Khwa district of Paktika province.
“The fighting lasted several hours and in a retaliatory attack by the Afghan forces, the Taliban suffered heavy casualties,” Paktika police spokesman Shah Mohammad Arian told AFP.
“In the clash, 65 Taliban fighters were killed and 35 others were wounded. Unfortunately, three police forces were martyred and six others wounded.”
Bakhtiar Gul Zadran, the head of Paktika provincial council, confirmed the information.
The Taliban did not immediately comment.
The violence came a day after the Taliban said they had killed 28 Afghan paramilitary policemen in Uruzgan in southern Afghanistan.
The violence comes as Taliban and Afghan government negotiators are meeting in Doha, where they are trying to find a way to end 19 years of war.
Delegates attend talks between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents in Doha, Qatar September 12, 2020. (Reuters)
A hopeful start to the peace talks September 12 was immediately marred by fresh violence across Afghanistan.
Negotiations are moving slowly, with the two sides trying to thrash out various parameters before deciding an agenda.
Read more:
Open for business: How UAE-Israel peace is driving deals at breakneck speed
Another country will sign a peace deal with Israel in ‘next day or two’: US diplomat
Saudi Arabia extended hand to Iran in peace ‘but to no avail’: King Salman
Also Read
-
Government airstrikes in Afghanistan kill 24 civilians, including children
Government airstrikes in the north of Afghanistan killed 24 civilians, including children, and wounded six others, witnesses told The Associated Press ... World News -
US Embassy in Afghanistan warns against extremist attacks targeting women
The US Embassy in Afghanistan is warning that extremists groups are planning attacks against a “variety of targets” but are taking particular aim at ... World News -
Afghanistan peace negotiations to resume September 12
Long-delayed peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government negotiators will begin Saturday in Qatar, officials and the insurgent group ... World News
