Taliban kill over 40 Afghan security forces

KABUL, Afghanistan

More than 40 Afghan security forces were killed in Taliban attacks across the country amid the stalled peace process, officials confirmed on Monday.

Khalil Aseer, spokesman for the police headquarters in northern Takhar province bordering Tajikistan, told Anadolu Agency a number of Taliban insurgents stormed check posts in Khwaja Ghaar district last night.

He claimed the attack was thwarted and "heavy casualties" were inflicted on the insurgents. Aseer confirmed the killing of 18 security forces in the exchange of fire.

According to local officials, the insurgents staged similar deadly assaults in the Balkh, Jawzjan and Uruzgan provinces killing 23 more security personnel.

The surge in violence comes on the heels of a lingering prisoner swap between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents as part of the fragile peace process.

So far, the Afghan government has released over 300 Taliban prisoners in different phases while the Taliban have released 40 captives.

With both sides blaming each other for violating the terms of the U.S - Taliban agreement inked on Feb. 29, the rejuvenated yet fragile Afghan peace process continues to face deadlock as differences persist over the proposed exchange of prisoners, launch of intra-Afgan talks and subsequent cease-fire.

According to official sources, there are 12,000-15,000 inmates, including foreigners from Pakistan, Central Asia and Gulf countries, in different prisons across Afghanistan. The Taliban have demanded the release of 5,000 of their militants in return for the release of 1,000 captives, including Afghan government officials and security personnel.

The Afghan government, however, insists on releasing them in phases along with intra-Afghan talks and a cease-fire in place.