More than 30 policemen have been killed and wounded in a Taliban attack in northern Samangan province, a local source claimed on Tuesday.
An official, wishing anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants stormed security check-posts in the Zerki area of Dara-i-Sauf Payeen district at 11pm.
Without going into details, the source said more than 30 police personnel suffered casualties. Col. Khwani Tahiri, the deputy police chief, was among the dead, he added.
Eight police pick-ups, two tanks, weapons and ammunition were seized by the Taliban, he revealed. The security forces are said to have retreated to the Bek area of Hazrat Sultan district
Police spokesman Monir Rahimi confirmed the clash, saying details would be shared with the media later on.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, claimed dozens of security forces were killed, including the deputy police chief, and weapons and ammunitions captured.
Earlier, Samangan police had said 40 villages of the district had been cleared of militant presence. The Taliban had overrun the villages recently.
