Afghanistan: 8 policemen killed by Taliban insurgents in Balkh province

As many as 8 policemen have been killed and three injured in a checkpoint in rrn Afghan province of Balkh by Taliban militant groups on January 1, according to Balkh police chief, Ajmal Fayez. Fayez said a group of Taliban insurgents attacked and took control of a police checkpoint located in Mazari Sharif -- Sheberghan highway for a short period of time on night of Tuesday, December 31.

y were soon repelled from area by security forces. According to State media, insurgents are believed to have some links among checkpoint's 14 officers who helped carry out attack. Taliban has t yet claimed any responsibility for attacks. 

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Similar attack in rrn Afghanistan

Similarly, a Taliban attack in rrn Afghanistan targetting a pro-government militia compound reportedly killed at least 14 members of Afghan security forces on December 30. According to international media reports, out of 14 fatalities in attack in Jawzjan province, 13 members were of pro-government militia and one was a policeman. Five ors were also reportedly wounded and two are still missing. 

Abdul Maroof Azer, government's spokesman told a local media outlet that reinforcements later mand to reach area and compound is w firmly back under government control. However, attack was immediately claimed by Taliban and just hours before it was also reported that a temporary nationwide cease-fire had been agreed upon among ir council leaders, although, it wasn't clear when cease-fire would go into effect.

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Taliban have also intensified ir attacks in rrn Afghanistan in recent days as y recently also targeted a local militiamen compound in rrn Takhar province which reportedly killed at least 17 Afghan militiamen. In ar recent attack, ten Afghan soldiers were reportedly killed on a checkpoint in sourn Helmand province. Taliban presently controls over half of country along with ISIS and st near-daily attacks targetting Afghan and US forces and Afghan government officials. However, an air raid by national security forces in Afghanistan's rthwestern Badghis province killed nearly eight Taliban terrorists on December 25. 

(With inputs from ANI)

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