At least 23 Afghan soldiers were killed and 13 injured when Taliban militants stormed security checkpoints in Qarluq, Archi district, in the northern province of Kunduz on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
"The clashes lasted for hours and caused the death of six soldiers and a policeman.Two security force members were also wounded during the fighting,'' district governor Nasruddin Nazari told Xinhua.
Taliban militants also attacked an army camp in Pul-e-Momin in eastern Archi district, killing 17 army soldiers and injuring 11 others.
Several militants were also killed and injured during the clashes, but their number could not be specified as the militants removed their casualties after the fighting, the official added.
Kunduz, neighbouring Baghlan and Takhar provinces saw heavy clashes in recent months as the Taliban make attempts to challenge government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.
Casualty on the part of Afghan security forces has risen since early 2015 when Afghan soldiers and policemen took over security from the US and NATO troops
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK
