SHEBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Thirteen were killed during an ambush, in northern Jawzjan province overnight, including a pro-government local leader, one of his men and 11 Taliban militants, a provincial government spokesman said.
“The incident occurred along Jawzjan-Sari Pul main road on Monday night, after Taliban militants attacked a unit of pro-government tribal militia group, known as local uprising fighters,” spokesman Abdul Maruf Azar, said.
The 11 bodies of the militants would be handed over to local villagers or Afghan Red Crescent personnel later in the day, Azar noted.
The obvious target of the ambush was local leader, Tofan, who led local uprising fighters and lost his life in the targeted attack.
At least eight people were killed in targeted attacks in Jan, this year across the country.
Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, killing government troops, as well as, civilians.
They frequently attack district offices, military camps, installations and security checkpoints, while the Afghan military respond with airstrikes on militant targets in the countryside.– NNN-AGENCIES