Afghan Taliban claim capturing Ghazni’s Ab-i-Band district

Afghanistan: The Taliban on Thursday claimed capturing the Ab-i-Band district of southern Ghazni province following last night’s coordinated attack that killed five police and injured three others including the district police chief.

Local authorities confirmed the Taliban attack on security posts in the Ab-i-Band district, saying that the ensuing clashes stretched into Thursday morning, leaving five police dead and three others wounded.

But the governor’s spokesman, Mohammad Arif Noori said several Taliban militants also suffered casualties in the firefight.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban fighters overran all areas of the Ab-i-Band district during last night’s attacks on key building including the district security posts, the police building and the district administration office.

He said nearly a dozen police were killed and several others wounded in the attack. He said three tanks and four police ranger vehicles were destroyed and the fighters seized a number of weapons and ammunition.

Statement released by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.