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Taliban seize Afghan police base after mass surrender | |
(1 day later) | |
The Taliban have seized a police base in northern Afghanistan and captured scores of officers after three days of fighting, officials say. | The Taliban have seized a police base in northern Afghanistan and captured scores of officers after three days of fighting, officials say. |
More than 100 officers surrendered at the base in Badakhshan province. They were released after reportedly handing over their weapons. | More than 100 officers surrendered at the base in Badakhshan province. They were released after reportedly handing over their weapons. |
The surrender was the largest by Afghan security forces since Nato ended its combat mission in December. | The surrender was the largest by Afghan security forces since Nato ended its combat mission in December. |
The Taliban have stepped up attacks during their annual spring offensive. | The Taliban have stepped up attacks during their annual spring offensive. |
A police spokesman said the officers were freed following a deal between the militants and the local police commanders who surrendered on Saturday evening. | A police spokesman said the officers were freed following a deal between the militants and the local police commanders who surrendered on Saturday evening. |
Some officials blamed the central government for failing to send reinforcements to break the siege by the militants. | Some officials blamed the central government for failing to send reinforcements to break the siege by the militants. |
The base, in the province's Wardoj district, was cut off after heavy rains destroyed roads into the area, said Badakhshan police chief General Baba Jan. | The base, in the province's Wardoj district, was cut off after heavy rains destroyed roads into the area, said Badakhshan police chief General Baba Jan. |
It was not clear why reinforcements were not flown into the area, though the province's steep valleys often make aircraft landings difficult. | It was not clear why reinforcements were not flown into the area, though the province's steep valleys often make aircraft landings difficult. |
The Taliban issued a statement saying it had released the 110 police officers, their local commander and the head of the local border police after making an agreement. | The Taliban issued a statement saying it had released the 110 police officers, their local commander and the head of the local border police after making an agreement. |
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