16 security men killed in Kunduz attack

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Sixteen security personnel were killed and two others injured after Taliban militants stormed their posts overnight in Dasht-i-Archi district of northern Kunduz province, officials said on Tuesday.

A security source told Pajhwok Afghan News that eight Afghan National Army (ANA) troops and four National Directorate of Security personnel were killed and two others were injured in the attack in Dasht-i-Archi district late Monday night.

The source said the Taliban also suffered casualties but exact number was not yet known.

But General Ali Yazdani, commander of the 217th Pamir Corps, said four security personnel were killed and three others wounded in the attack.

The commander said 16 Taliban fighters were killed and five others were wounded in the clash.

The Taliban confirmed the attack. Their spokesman, ZabihullahMujahid, said the fighters seized two government check-posts in Dasht-i-Archi district late on Monday night.

He said 21 government soldiers, including a commander Ahmad Shah, were killed, six others wounded and three tanks destroyed during the firefight.

Mujahid denied Taliban casualties in the fighting.

Bk/ma