Death toll of Taliban attack on security posts in Afghanistan climbs to 66
Death toll of an attack that Taliban launched
against security posts in Bala Murghab district of the western Badghis province
rose to 66.
The Taliban killed 36 members of the government
forces and captured five security checkpoints in the district, Alhurra TV
channel reported on Friday, quoting Waris Sherzad, district governor of Bala
Murghab as saying.
He said that more than 30 Taliban fighters were
killed in the attacks.
The Afghan defense ministry said earlier that its
forces chose to tactically retreat from the checkpoints to prevent civilian
casualties, adding that it called on air forces to launch strikes on Taliban
sites.
Fighting in Afghanistan has escalated ahead of the
usual spring season, as both sides aim to have greater leverage in talks on a
peace settlement.
