At lesat 13 killed in 'Taliban attack' in north Afghanistan

A major attack targeting a police commander in northern Afghanistan has killed more than a dozen people, officials say.

According to Press TV, the police commander of the Afghan province of Parwan said on Monday that the bomb attack happened near a clinic and a market, killing 13 people and injuring 19 others.

General Zaman Mamozai said nine civilians were among the dead while two security forces were also injured, including the police commander who was targeted in the bombing.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in an email sent to the media.

The group has increased its attacks on security forces and civilians across Afghanistan, triggering concerns that the once-ruling militants could benefit from the fragile security to capture territories in the country.

Earlier on Monday, Afghan troops pulled out of a second district in the southern province of Helmand, leaving the Taliban in control of most of the northern part of the province.

Military officials in Kabul said the withdrawal from Nawzad district was tactical, saying troops would concentrate their strength on defending the area.

SS