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AFGHANISTAN-TALIBAN-CLASH
1 Afghan soldier, 21 Taliban militants killed in clashes: gov’t
KABUL, June 27, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – One Afghan soldier and 21 Taliban militants were killed in clashes in two provinces, the country’s Ministry of Defense said Saturday.
In one incident, nine Taliban militants were killed and 10 others arrested after they attacked the Afghan National Army’s checkpoints in Arghandi village, Paghman district in the western part of capital Kabul on Friday, the ministry said in a statement.
In eastern Paktia province, 12 Taliban and one Afghan security force member were killed and two soldiers as well as six Taliban militants were wounded after militants attacked Afghan security forces’ positions in Mirzakai district on Friday, the statement added.
The Taliban militant group has not made comments on the reports.
The fresh clashes raised questions about a peace deal inked between the United States and Taliban in Qatar in February.
According to the agreement, the United States and NATO forces will withdraw from Afghanistan by July next year.
Presently, more than 10,000 foreign forces, including some 8,600 Americans, are serving in Afghanistan to train and assist local security forces in their fight against the insurgents.
BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 1840 hrs