At least 100 Afghan forces killed in battle with Taliban in Ghazni

Four days of fierce fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants over the embattled provincial capital of Ghazni have claimed the lives of about 100 policemen and soldiers, as well as at least 20 civilians.

Four days of fierce fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants over the embattled provincial capital of Ghazni have claimed the lives of about 100 policemen and soldiers, as well as at least 20 civilians.

“About 100 security forces have lost their lives and between 20 and 30 civilians have been killed,” media outlets quoted Defense Minister Lieutenant General Tariq Shah Bahrami as saying during a press conference in the capital Kabul on Monday. 

He added that the casualty figures were not yet definite and that the numbers might change.

He also said 194 militants, including 12 key commanders, were killed, among them some Pakistani, Chechen and Arab nationals.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Afghan minister said about 1,000 additional troops have been sent to the key provincial capital and helped prevent the city from falling into Taliban hands.