At least 22 policemen and 45 militants were killed after the Taliban attacked security checkpoints in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, a senior official said on Tuesday. The authorities added that 15 officials were also injured in the attack.
Xinhua news agency reported that the attack took place on Monday night in Maywand district. The officials said that the government forces wounded 35 militants and none of the police checkpoints was captured in the overnight attacks.
"Our forces resisted until they received reinforcements and air support," Zia Durrani, spokesman for Kandahar's police chief told Reuters. "The Taliban were defeated."
Meanwhile, the Taliban told the media by WhatsApp that they killed 43 police and members of a militia and destroyed 13 armored vehicles. However, it is believed that the insurgents often exaggerate battlefield casualties.
In addition to this, the Taliban, who are fighting to restore Islamic rule after their 2001 ouster by U.S.-led troops, also attacked Bala Boluk, in the western province of Farah, on Tuesday. The provincial government said that the attack killed eight soldiers and wounded three officials.
According to the United States' Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the government's control or influence over the country has fallen to just under 60 percent, down six percentage points from last year.
