RT Monitoring Desk
KABUL: Afghan troops killed at least 34 taliban in battle after militants ambushed an army convoy in the country’s south on Thursday, while 15 Taliban and seven police were killed elsewhere, officials said.
The clash erupted after “enemy elements” attacked Afghan forces in Zabul province on the main road between the capital Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar, defence ministry spokesman Mohammed Zahir Azimi told.
“A fierce battle started and the enemy were caught between the Afghan army on both sides,” Azimi said. “At least 34 enemy dead bodies are at the battlefield, but we believe there are many more killed.”
Azimi said dozens more militants were wounded or arrested in the clash while large numbers of weapons were left at the scene. Zabul deputy provincial police chief Jailani Khan said: “Taliban left 37 dead bodies behind and five Taliban were arrested.” The bodies were carried to the Shah Joy district centre, he said. Two were foreign nationals according to documents found in their pockets, he said.
He said there were no casualties to the army and police. A spokesman for the insurgent Taliban movement, Yousuf Ahmadi, claimed however that 12 Afghan soldiers were killed in the battle and his group had not had any casualties. His previous statements have often proved exaggerated.
The Afghan army was deployed on the road this month after a surge in attacks along the route. Taliban have captured several Afghans traveling on the road and killed them, accusing them of working for the government and its allies.