33 Afghan Soldiers Killed, Wounded and Beheaded in Badakhshan

33 Afghan Soldiers Killed, Wounded and Beheaded in Badakhshan
Tue Apr 14, 2015 16:48:08

At least 33 service members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were martyred, wounded or kidnapped following an attack by the Taliban militants in northeastern Badakhshan province, Khaama Press reports.

Gen. Zahir Azimi, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD), confirmed that 33 soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were "martyred", wounded or kidnapped in the attack.

He said at least 20 militants were killed and 7 others were injured during the clashes with the Afghan security forces.

Gen. Azimi further added that a foreign militant commander was also among those killed during the clashes.

In the meantime, another military official, said at least 14 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were kidnapped by the Taliban militants.

The official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the militants have so far beheaded four of the hostages.

The coordinated attack by the Taliban militants was launched late on Friday night in Jurm district which lasted for several hours.

Also AP have a different story saying, Taliban fighters swarmed over Afghan army posts in the country's northeast, killing at least 18 soldiers and beheading some in a major attack to mark the start of the country's summer fighting season.

Some 250 Taliban fighters overran the posts, said Gul Mohammad Bidar, the province's deputy governor.

Ahmad Nawid Froutan, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said the attack killed 18 soldiers, with eight of their bodies beheaded.

He said Afghan troops killed 19 Taliban fighters, eight of them foreigners, and that the insurgents fled after reinforcements arrived to the area.

The Defense Ministry said earlier Monday that the attack caused 30 soldiers to be "killed, wounded or become missing.

" The ministry said it was conducting an investigation into the attack, which it said came from unspecified "neglect" by an army officer there. It said the fighters looted military equipment and set fire to vehicles it couldn't take.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and said they killed 49 soldiers. The Taliban often exaggerates their claims.

The major attack comes as Afghanistan enters its summer fighting season, as snow melts in its mountain passes and extremists launch more attacks.

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