‘Taliban kill over 35 security forces in Farah offensive’

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): At least 30 security forces have been killed during Taliban militants’ attack on battalion in western Farah province, public representatives said on Thursday.

Sha Mahmood Naemi, the deputy provincial council head, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants launched a coordinated attack on a joint Afghan National Army (ANA) and police battalion Aab-i-Khorma locality of Balablok district on Herat-Kandahar highway late on Wednesday night.

 He said at least 30 security forces were killed in the attack.

Meanwhile, Khir Mohammad Norzayee, a member of the provincial council, told Pajhwok that the exact number of soldiers killed in the incident was unknown so far.

He said 45 policemen and ANA soldiers were stationed in the battalion which was attacked. Initial reports indicate 15 ANA soldiers and 15 to 20 police personnel had been killed in the incident, Norzayee said.

He said the joint battalion of the ANA soldiers and policemen was located in Khak-i-Safid district but was shifted to Aab-i-Khorma area of the Balabolok district of the province three days ago.

Norzayee expressed concern over the security forces causalities and said at least 250 soldiers were killed during the Taliban coordinately stormed last month.

 Meanwhile, provincial police spokesman, Mohibullah Muhib also confirmed the Taliban attacks in Balablok, Push Koh and Pusht Rod districts but said both sides suffered causalities in the attack. However, he had no exact number of the causalities.

Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, the Taliban spokesman claimed killing 30 security forces in the nighttime stormed.

Pk/msd