At least 16 killed in Taliban attack on army base in Baghlan

At least 12 army soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack on Saturday on a small military base in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province, officials said.

The Taliban left behind explosives that then killed four tribal elders who had come to help collect the soldiers' bodies, according to Afghan officials.

Safder Mohsini, head of the provincial council in Baghlan, said the group also abducted two soldiers and wounded three others in the attack.

He said Taliban fighters burned down the base before planting bombs around it.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault and said they seized ammunition from the base. The group carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting Afghan security forces stationed in rural outposts.

Taliban fighters have ramped up attacks on Afghan security forces and government facilities in recent months, leaving troops thinly stretched throughout the country.

 

At least 16 killed in Taliban attack on army base in Baghlan

At least 12 army soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack on Saturday on a small military base in Afghanistans northern Baghlan province, officials said. The Taliban left behind explosives that then killed four tribal elders who had come to help collect the soldiers bodies, according to Afghan officials. Safder Mohsini, head of the provincial council in Baghlan, said the group also abducted two soldiers and wounded three others in the attack. He said Taliban fighters burned down the base before planting bombs around it. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault and said they seized ammunition from the base. The group carry out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting Afghan security forces stationed in rural outposts. Taliban fighters have ramped up attacks on Afghan security forces and government facilities in recent months, leaving troops thinly stretched throughout the country.