13 rebels including Pakistanis suffer causalities in Nangarhar

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): At least 13 Taliban militants, including nine Pakistani nationals, have suffered causalities in a clash with the security forces in eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Sunday.

Attaullah Khogyani, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants stormed security check-posts in the Zawjan Kala area of Sherzad district late on Saturday night.

He said five Pakistani rebels were killed and eight others -- four of them Pakistani nationals -- wounded in the overnight firefight.

Civilians and security forces suffered no causalities, he said, adding weapons and ammunition were seized from the militant.

The Taliban have not yet commented about the attack.

Despite the peace talks beginning in Doha on Saturday, the Taliban conducted attacks on Afghan security forces in many parts of the country.

Late on Saturday, the Ministry of Defence accused the Taliban of assaulting the security forces in 18 different provinces since last night.

pk/mud