KUNDUZ CITY (PAN): A commander was among 10 Taliban killed in a joint operation of Afghan and US forces in northern Kunduz province, the governor said on Tuesday.

Engineer Mohammad Omar told a press conference the joint offensive was launched in Khan Abad, Chahar Darah districts and in the neighborhood of Kunduz city on Monday night to ensure security for the Thursdays presidential and provincial council elections.

About security of polling stations in his province, Omar said 230,00 Afghan National Army soldiers, police, national directorate of security (NDS) forces assisted by International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) troops would maintain the security of polling stations on Election Day.

He admitted that 24 polling centers had security problems in the province. However, he said the polling station would open with the help of area people and tribal elders. The people would be able to go to polling station in the troubled areas and cast their vote on Election Day, he hoped.

Omar accused Pakistani spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of creating security situation and also criticized German Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) for not taking action against militants operating in the province.

Meanwhile, Taliban insurgents attacked a joint patrol of Afghan police and ISAF forces in Chahardarah district of Kunduz province on Tuesday.

Police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Razaq Yaqubi told Pajhwok Afghan News an attacker was killed and two others were wounded in the ensuing clash. The joint forces remained unhurt in the attack, he added.

German PRT said Taliban attacked the convoy in Chahar Darah district.

It added no one from the forces was hurt, but many Taliban were killed in retaliatory attack.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said two tanks of foreign troops were destroyed and heavy casualties inflicted on the soldiers in the assault.

myn/ma