Kabul: Militants stormed a town in northern Afghanistan, launching a multi-pronged assault that sparked heavy clashes with security forces and prevented
polling stations from opening, police said.
"Terrorists attacked from several directions. Fighting
has been going on since morning," provincial police chief
Mohammad Kabir Andarabi told by telephone from Baghlan.
"Now, as we speak, the enemy has been pushed back. We
have killed 22 terrorists. Most of their bodies are left on
the ground," he added.
Another police official confirmed the attack but had
initial reports that only six "Taliban" were killed.
Baghlan is a small town on the highway between
Pul-i-Khumri, the capital of the eponymous province, and
Kunduz province. Baghlan province is largely Pashtun but is
Tajik-dominated.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 16:11