As many as 12 security forces were killed in Taliban attacks in Zabul, Daikundi, and Kunduz provinces, and 11 construction workers were abducted by the group in the western Herat province, according to local officials.
As many as four policemen were killed and two others wounded in Taliban attacks in Shahr-e-Safa district of the southern Zabul province, said Hekmatullah Kochi, police chief of Zabul. The incident took place last night, February 14, around 09:30 PM in the Pul-e-Sangi area of the district along the Kabul-Kandahar highway, according to Mr. Kochi.
The local police official said that the Taliban were pushed back, two militants were killed and three others wounded in clashes with police forces.
Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesperson, however, claimed that 13 government forces were killed in the attack and three others were caught by the militants.
In the central Daikundi province, an operative of the National Directorate of Security was confirmed dead and two others were reportedly wounded. Talking to Kabul Now, Daikundi deputy governor, Mohammad Ali Urozgani said that the incident took place last night, February 14, in Patoo district of the province.
The deputy governor claimed that the Taliban militants also suffered casualties but he did not provide a specific figure.
On the other hand, Wakil Ahmad Karokhi, a member of Herat Provincial Council, told Kabul Now that the Taliban militants have kidnapped 11 construction workers of Pashdan Dam in Karokh district of the western Herat province. The construction workers were abducted yesterday, February 14, around 12:00 PM, and were taken to Taliban stronghold in Pashtun Zarghun district of the province, he said.
No group has made an immediate comment regarding the incident.
In a separate incident, as many as seven members of People’s Uprising Force – a pro-government militia – were killed in a Taliban attack in the northern Kunduz province, a local official said.
Mohammad Yusuf Ayubi, head of Kunduz Provincial Council, told Kabul Now that the pro-government forces came under Taliban attacks in Imam Sahib district last night. He said three others were wounded in the attack.
The Taliban militants were pushed back and the area is under the control of government forces, Mr. Ayubi said.
