Takhar: Security forces retake Dasht-i-Kala district

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): The security forces have regained control of the Dasht-i-Kala district of northern Takhar province, an official said on Thursday.

Police spokesman Col. Abdul Khalil Aseer told Pajhwok Afghan News that the district remained under Taliban control for a few hours.

On arrival of reinforcements, the security forces wrested back the town from the insurgents, he said, adding the militants had been pushed back.

During an eight hours clash, five security personnel were killed and three others wounded, Commander Zabit Alam was among 10 uprising members captured by the Taliban, he added.

Around 20 rebels suffered causalities during the clash, according to the police. But the Taliban claimed inflicting heavy causalities on the security forces.

Sharafat, a resident of the area, verified the insurgents had left the district after torching the police headquarters and intelligence compound.

pk/mud