At least 40 Afghan soldiers and police were killed in a Taliban attack on a military outpost in a northern province, the latest in a series of deadly assaults on security forces.
Nine policemen and 35 soldiers died in the attack in Afghanistan‘s Baghlan province that began in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.
Mohammad Safdar Mohseni, head of the provincial council, said the fighters set fire to checkpoints after the attack in Baghlan-i Markazi district.
There was no immediate comment from the Afghan defence ministry. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack.
On Monday, the Taliban also overran a military base known as Camp Chinaya in northern Faryab province, killing 17 soldiers and wounding 19 others.