Afghanistan: 'First insider attack on Taliban' kills 14

KABUL, Afghanistan

In a first incident of its kind, a Taliban fighter has turned the gun on his own group members and surrendered to Afghan authorities after killing 14 suspected militants in northern Kunduz province, Afghan authorities claimed Tuesday.

According to provincial police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, the incident took place in Imam Saheb district Monday night that also left suspected Taliban group commander, Mullah Baz Mohammad, dead.

“The attacker surrendered himself to district officials and also handed over 14 guns belonging to the slain militants,” Hussaini said.

The spokesman did not name the attacker.

Usually, the phrase “insider attacks” are used to associate the killings of foreign military officials at the hands of their Afghan colleagues. Tens of Afghan and international troops, including top military officials have been killed in such attacks, which are also known as “Green on Blue” attacks.

Meanwhile, a suspected Taliban shadow governor for four provinces of northern Afghanistan was arrested early Tuesday morning in western Herat province.

According to National Directorate for Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency, Qari Salahuddin Ayobi was arrested in Shindand district of Herat province when he was en route to Pakistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan

“The attacker surrendered himself to district officials and also handed over 14 guns belonging to the slain militants,” Hussaini said.

The spokesman did not name the attacker.

Meanwhile, a suspected Taliban shadow governor for four provinces of northern Afghanistan was arrested early Tuesday morning in western Herat province.

According to National Directorate for Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency, Qari Salahuddin Ayobi was arrested in Shindand district of Herat province when he was en route to Pakistan.