(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Taliban rebels released 107 policemen yesterday after they seized a police base in north-eastern Afghanistan, an official said.
About 100 guerrillas attacked several security outposts in Wardoj district of the province of Badakhshan over three days, forcing troops to surrender, provincial governor Shah Wali Adeb said.
He said about 125 members of the border police, national police and local police surrendered to the insurgents.
"Among the captured policemen, 107 were released by the Taliban after tribal elders negotiated with the group," he said, adding that the rest of the policemen were still being held by the insurgents.
Lack of reinforcements from the government led to the surrender, the governor said, adding that the base commander remained in the Taliban's hands.
Taliban also confirmed the release of the policemen.
The base had a strategic importance for maintaining the security of the whole district.
Wardoj has become one of the most dangerous districts in Badakshan.
After claiming responsibility for the attack, the Taliban said they had had taken control of several security installations in the area.
The Afghan military has been struggling to contain the insurgency since most US and foreign troops withdrew at the end of last year.
Meanwhile, 48 militants have been killed in newest military operations across the country, the Afghan Ministry of Defence announced yesterday.
A statement issued by the ministry states that these insurgents were killed in different parts of the country in past 24 hours, Afghan Khaama Press (KP) reported.
The statement adds that 20 militants were also wounded during these operations and 12 others detained by the security forces.
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence further states that five soldiers from the Afghan National Army have been killed during these operations.
This comes as heavy clashes have been erupting between Taliban and security forces in different parts of the country including Badakhshan.
During these clashes Taliban recently seized a military base from security forces in Wardouj District of Badakhshan province.
But spokesmen of the ministries of defence and interior have repeatedly said that the militants are not in the position to hold an area longer.
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