Taliban attack on check posts kill 8 Afghan forces

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan

At least eight Afghan security personnel got killed as the Taliban stormed multiple check posts in the Farah province bordering Iran, an official confirmed on Friday.

The attack came a week after the Taliban claimed to down a military chopper in the province bordering Iran.

Kher Mohammad, a member of the provincial assembly, told Anadolu Agency that the rebels staged coordinated assaults on three check posts in Farah city, the provincial capital, late Thursday.

Mohammad confirmed that the militants killed eight security personnel and have besieged the city.

The Taliban spokesperson Qari Yosuf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the deadly assaults.

On Oct. 31, a military helicopter crashed in western Afghanistan near the border with Iran, killing at least 25 officers and officials on board, with authorities blaming bad weather while the Taliban also claimed responsibility.

The Taliban claims the have the bodies of the 25 people -- including Gen. Nematullah Khalil, deputy commander of the Afghan National Army’s 207-Zafar Corps, and Farid Bakhtawar, chairman of the provincial assembly.

In exchange, they have demanded the body of their fellow militant who was killed in cross-fire after killing the chiefs of police and intelligence last month.

Afghan officials in Farah have been blaming Iran for supporting the militants; an allegation rejected by the Tehran administration.