30 Taliban militants killed in Helmand, Maidan Wardak, Balkh clashes

At least 30 Taliban militants were killed in clashes with the Afghan forces in Helmand, Maidan Wardak, and Balkh provinces.

The Defense Ministry said Thursday that the militants stormed security outposts of the Afghan forces in Grishk and Nadali districts on Wednesday night.

At least 13 Taliban fighters were killed in Sarband and Yakhchal areas in Grishk and five more were killed in the Nahr-e Bughra area of Nadali in the counterattack, the ministry said, adding that five Taliban dead bodies have remained on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, the Taliban attacked Afghan forces in the Mohammad Quli area in Jaghatu district of Maidan Wardak province which faced “fierce resistance” by Afghan forces.

The Ministry of Defense added, as a result, 9 Taliban militants were killed and a vehicle and a motorbike of the group were destroyed.

In a separate incident, the Taliban militants attacked a convoy of the Afghan security and defense forces in the Shulgera district of Balkh province.

The Defense Ministry confirmed, adding that three insurgents were killed and four others wounded in the incident.

The ministry, however, did not provide further details about the casualties of the Afghan forces.

The Taliban yet to make a comment on the matter.

It comes as the United Nations in a statement on Thursday urged all warring parties to reduce violence and attacks against each other.