FEROZKOH: At least 16 civilians and five policemen have been
killed and 15 others wounded in Taliban assaults in western Ghor province.

Residents and officials said on Tuesday the incidents took
place in Shabshudagi and Bykab villages on the outskirts of Ferozkoh — the
provincial capital — late on Monday night, Pajhwok Afghan News Reported.

Mohammad Ibrahim Mowahid and Abdul Hakim, both residents of
the area, told Pajhwok Afghan News the insurgents showed no mercy to the
inhabitants.

Innocent civilians including children were killed, they
alleged, putting the toll at 16 dead and more than 20 others wounded.

Abdul Basir Qaderi, a member of the provincial council, said
16 civilians, including a woman and a child, were killed. He also verified the
killing of five policemen.

About 16 civilians were wounded during the overnight
attacks. Without giving exact figures, he said the militants also suffered
casualties in the clash.

He warned the provincial capital could fall to the Taliban
if the government did not take steps in time to keep the militants at bay.

Abdul Hai Khatibi, the governor's spokesman, told Pajhwok
that both sides had suffered casualties. However, he did not have exact
figures.

The attack comes as the leader of the Taliban for the second
time gathered in Moscow and held meetings with the Afghan influential figures
to find a political settlement in Afghanistan. The Taliban members already
wrapped up sixth round of talks with US Special Envoy for Afghanistan
Reconciliation in Doha, where Khalilzad said they have made steady but slow
progress. However, the Taliban time and again rejected to hold direct talks
with the Afghan government.

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