Roundup: Militancy intensifies in N. Afghanistan as 17 police go missing

The Taliban-led militancy has intensified in northern parts of the conflict-ridden Afghanistan as fighting between insurgents and security forces has been continuing in the northern Saripul and parts of Kunduz provinces over the past two days.

The armed insurgents in their latest onslaught against security forces have gained ground in Saripul province with Saripul city as its capital 350 km north of Kabul on Tuesday, forcing security forces to retreat.

"Hundreds of Taliban militants launched massive offensive on Kohistanat district Monday morning and fierce fighting which lasted till 11:00 p.m., the security forces retreated enabling militants to enter the district," provincial police chief Mohammad Asif Jabar Khil told Xinhua.

Without commenting on casualties of both sides, the official admitted that 17 police personnel have gone missing.

However, he added that the security personnel are consolidating their positions in the neighboring Sozma Qala and Sayad districts.

Meanwhile, head of provincial council of Saripul province confirmed the fall of Kohistanat to the Taliban, saying disharmony among security organs has paved the way for the collapse of Kohistanat district.

In a similar incident, 30 villages were overrun by Taliban militants in Khan Abad district of northern Kunduz province with Kunduz city as its capital 250 km north of Kabul on Monday night, district governor Hayatullah Amiri said Tuesday.

"Taliban militants launched a heavy offensive in Aqtash area Monday morning forcing pro-government militias to flee and thus enabled Taliban to captured 30 villages there," Amiri told Xinhua.

The government forces are yet to launch counter-attack, the official added.

Taliban militants, according to observers, would do their best to gain more ground amid the ongoing peace talks to get concessions and also consolidate their positions before the fall of the harsh winter in the mountainous country. Endi