Taliban Kill Dozens of Afghan Forces in Two Attacks

By Staff- Agencies

In one of the deadly incidents late Sunday, Taliban militants killed at least six soldiers and 13 police and pro-government militiamen at several outposts near a police headquarters building in northeastern Takhar province, provincial police spokesman Khalil Assir said.

A wedding party was being held in the building at the time, but the attackers did not reach the headquarters.

"The police bravely defended and prevented the Taliban from entering the celebration," Assir said.

Mohammad Azam Afzali, a member of Takhar's provincial council, gave a slightly lower toll, saying 17 police and pro-government militiamen were killed in the fighting that lasted at least seven hours.

The Taliban did not immediately comment.

Meanwhile, a Taliban attack on an army outpost in southern Zabul province on Sunday night left at least six soldiers dead, the defense ministry said in a statement.

Four people were also wounded when a sticky bomb attached to a small truck went off in Kabul city on Monday morning, the interior ministry said.

No one immediately claimed that attack.

The latest bloodshed comes during diplomatic efforts to kick start talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.