Afghan forces kills 10 militants in northern Afghanistan

Asia-Pacific, News January 18, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

Afghan security forces have killed 10 militants during an operation supported by local citizens in the northern part of the country.

According to Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, spokesman for the police chief in Kunduz province, four militants were also injured in the raid in the Khan Abad district.

Hussaini added that the operation left five local civilians taking part in the fight wounded.

On January 15, Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said a senior Taliban member and four other militants were killed in clashes with security forces in the northeast.

Afghan forces took over full responsibility for the country’s security from US-led forces on January 1.

The US-led combat mission in Afghanistan ended on December 31, 2014. Around 13,000 foreign troops – mostly from the United States – will remain in what is said to be a training and advisory mission.

US-led NATO says the forces will focus more narrowly on counterterrorism and on training Afghan soldiers and policemen. Under the new mission, the US-led forces will also enter into operations against the Taliban or intervene with airstrikes in support of the Afghan military.

On January 1, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called on the army and police to defend Afghanistan against Taliban militants.

MR/BB/KA