Security forces detained a dozen Taliban fighters during a night operation against Taliban hideout in Takhar province, some 245 km north of Afghan capital Kabul, spokesman for provincial administration Faizullah Tawhidi said Monday.
“The operation, backed by NATO-led forces, was conducted in Nawabad village of Ashkamish district late Sunday night during which 12 Taliban rebels were captured,” Tawhidi told Xinhua.
He did not provide more details.
Meantime, Zabihullah Mujahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit in talks with media via telephone from unknown location confirmed the incident but insisted all those arrested by the troops were civilians.He also claimed that a gunship helicopter was shot down during the fighting lasting for two hours, however, the claim rejected by Tawhidi as baseless and mere propaganda.