Clashes Between Security Forces, Taliban Leave 23 Dead In N. Afghanistan

Gun battles between Afghan security forces and Taliban militants have claimed the lives of 23 people, mostly armed insurgents, in the northern Kunduz and Badakhshan provinces since Wednesday night, officials said Thursday.
A clash erupted between Taliban militants and security forces early Thursday in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province had left 13 people dead, a local official said.
"The clash erupted in the wee hours of Thursday and lasted for several hours, during which 13 people including nine militants and four Afghan soldiers had been killed," district governor Imanudin Qurishi told reporters here.
Another 11 people, including five soldiers and six insurgents, sustained injuries in the clash, he added.
In a related development, security forces stormed Taliban hideouts in Badakhshan province Wednesday night, killing 10 insurgents, police said.
"Units of security personnel stormed rebel hideouts in Yamchian area of Darayem district, Badakhshan province Wednesday night and killed 10 militants during the operations which lasted for a few hours," deputy to provincial police chief Abdul Qadir Sayad told Xinhua.
Neither security personnel nor civilians had been hurt during the operations, Sayad said.
Taliban militants who have intensified activities over the past couple of months have yet to make comment.
Meanwhile, two blasts rocked the northern Kunduz city and Gizab district of the southern Uruzgan province, leaving eight people including four children injured, officials said. (Cihan/Xinhua)