16 Afghans killed in Taliban attack

KABUL, Feb. 5 (YPA) – At least 16 Afghan security forces were killed and two more were wounded in a Taliban attack on their outpost in Khan Abad district in the northern province of Kunduz on Thursday night, Tolo News reported, citing official source on Friday .

The attack happened in Tap-e-Akhtar area in Khan Abad district, said Rabbani Rabbani, member of the provincial council in Kunduz.

He said two security force members were taken hostage during the Taliban attack.

A security source said that a local force unit supported by the National Directorate of Security.

More details on the attack are not available so far.

This is while the Taliban have not yet commented on the news.

The attack comes amid a sharp escalation in violence in the country despite ongoing peace efforts.

Peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have stalled, as new US President Joe Biden reviews an agreement to withdraw US troops by May.

E.M