KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Local officials on Saturday said 25 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers have been killed during an hours long battle with Taliban insurgents in Shah Walikot district of southern Kandahar province.

Maj. Khwaja Yehya Alawi, spokesman for the 205^th Atal Military Corps in Kandahar, told Pajhwok Afghan News that dozens of Taliban gunmen stormed an ANA base in Zangitan area of Shah Walikot district on Friday night.

He said both the sides suffered casualties, but gave no exact figures.

But a credible security source, who wished to go unnamed, said 25 ANA soldiers were killed, 10 others wounded and eight more soldiers were missing after the attack.

The Taliban also suffered casualties, but their number was unknown, he said.

A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, claimed 35 Afghan soldiers were killed in the attack on ANA base in Zangitan area last night.

He said six others soldiers were captured alive and number of military vehicles and small and heavy weapons seized by the fighters.

Ahamdi confirmed the killing of five fighters with two others wounded in the battle.

However, Kandahar security officials rejected Taliban’s claims.

The Taliban have intensified their attacks as part of their spring offensive, causing frequent casualties to Afghan forces and civilians.

mds/ma

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