TARIKNOT (SW): Obaidullah Barakzai, member of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) has said at least 26 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers died in a Taliban attack in Uruzgan province.
Addressing a press conference, he said security situation is fast deteriorating in the province, and the government should take immediate steps to resolve the crisis. Barakzai, an MP from Uruzgan, said 43 ANA men were present in a military base stormed by the Taliban close to the provincial capital Tarinkot.
He added up to 17 soldiers have been taken hostage by the militants.
Meanwhile, the provincial authorities have acknowledged that the military outpost ‘Samad’ was under the siege by the Taliban for the past eight months. Dost Mohammad Nayab, spokesman for the provincial governor, told Salam Watandar, the outpost has not fallen to the militants, but only 3 soldiers and 11 Taliban militants have died in clashes.
He added fresh troops have been sent to the site, to rebuff the militants. Nayab stressed no one would be allowed to undermine security in the province.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack, and said to have killed all soldiers stationed there.
ENDS
