Taliban lose 15 fighters in battle for Khwaja Ghar district

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Fifteen Taliban fighters were killed and 10 others injured as a result of clashes in the Khwaja Ghar district of northern Takhar province, an official said on Wednesday.

The governor’s spokesman, Jawad Hejri, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban launched a group attack on the district late on Tuesday night.

He said Afghan and foreign forces had launched ground and air attacks on the Taliban, killing 15 insurgents and injuring 10 others.

Ikramullah, a resident of the locality, said the restive district remained under Taliban control until Wednesday morning.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the fighters overran the district and killed a number of security personnel.  The Taliban captured Khwaja Ghar three years back for three days.

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