Taliban attacks claim 10 Afghan forces’ lives

KABUL, Sep 17 (AP): The Taliban attacked on Monday Afghan police and military bases, killing 10 members of the security forces.

In northwestern Badghis province, five officers were killed, including Abdul Hakim, the police commander of a reserve unit, in an attack that took place near the provincial capital of Qala-i-Now.

Jamshid Shahabi, spokesman for the Badghis governor, said around 22 Taliban fighters were killed and 16 others were wounded during the gunbattle there.

And in northern Baghlan province, the Taliban launched attacks against a joined army and police base, killing three army and two police officers, said Gen. Ekramuddin Serih, the provincial police chief.

"The base is under the control of the Afghan security forces now and reinforcements have also been sent to the district," he said.

The police chief added that at least 20 Taliban were killed and wounded in the fighting.