Taliban kill dozens of Afghan forces

KABUL, Sept 10 (Al jazeera): At least 37 members of Afghan security forces and pro-government fighters have been killed in separate attacks carried out by the Taliban in the country's north.

Mohammad Yusouf Ayubi, the head of the provincial council in Kunduz province, said that at least 13 security forces were killed in an attack on a checkpoint in Dashti Archi district, with another 15 members of the security forces wounded there.

The firefight began late on Sunday and continued into Monday morning.

Meanwhile, in Jawzjan province, Provincial Police Chief General Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani said the Taliban launched attacks in Khamyab district from different directions, forcing Afghan forces to withdraw from the district headquarters.

He said that at least eight policemen were killed and three other police personnel were wounded.

Seven Taliban fighters were also killed and eight were wounded during the gun battle, he added.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attacks in Kunduz and Jawzjan provinces.

The armed group also killed another 14 local Afghan policemen and pro-government militiamen in the Dara Suf district of Samangan province, provincial spokesman Sediq Azizi said, adding that six others were also wounded.