Taliban kill at least 25 Afghan security forces in ambush

At least 25 Afghan security personnel have been killed in an ambush blamed on Taliban militants in the northeastern province of Takhar.

Provincial governor spokesman Jawad Hejri said on Wednesday that fighting was still ongoing between Afghan security forces and the Taliban militants, adding that the militant group had also suffered “heavy casualties.”

Hejri said the Afghan security forces had been on their way for an operation in the district when they were attacked by the militants.

“The Taliban had taken positions in the houses around the area. They ambushed our forces, who were there for an operation against the enemy,” he said.

Takhar Public Health Director Abdul Qayyum Qane also confirmed the attack but said 34 security personnel had been killed, including the deputy police chief of the province.

The Wednesday incident comes as increasing violence across Afghanistan threatens ongoing intra-Afghan talks between the government and the Taliban in the Qatari capital of Doha.

SS