MAZAR-I SHARIF
At least 61 people were killed when Taliban militants ambushed a military convoy on Monday in Badghis province of Afghanistan making it the bloodiest confrontation in a year, a spokesperson for the governor of Badghis province told AA.
"It was actually a convoy of empty trucks and security forces vehicles which was attacked" Mirwais Mirzakwal, spokesperson for the governor of Badghis province told AA.
Badghis MP Qazi Abdur Rahim Rehill told Anadolu Agency that the convoy was on its way back after dropping military and civilian logistics to Bala Murghab District.
He said around one thousand Taliban insurgents had set a trap for the military convoy five days before the attack in Akazu area. Fierce clashes erupted between the security forces and militants after the ambush.
Rehill said fifty-six militants and five troops were killed in the clashes while Mirzakwal, the governor's spokesperson, said about 40 Taliban insurgents were killed and eight security forces were wounded. Commander of the 3th Brigade in Badghis Gen. Dawood Shah Vafadar said 47 militants and 15 troops were killed.
It was not immediately possible to reconcile the conflict information on death figures.
On the other hand Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi claimed 53 security troops were killed and seven militants wounded.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
