KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Six members of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) force have joined Taliban in the Khakrez district of southern Kandahar province, an official said on Saturday.
Local officials claimed 25 militants were killed during a joint operation by Afghan and foreign forces in Khakrez and Shah Wali Kot districts.
A security official wishing not to be named said the ALP members had left their post and joined the Taliban with their weapons in Arogh area.
Samim Khpalwak, the governor’s spokesman, confirmed the incident but said it was unclear what prompted the ALP officials to join militant ranks. A delegation has been sent to the area to probe the desertion.
Khpalwak said 11 militants had been killed in Khakrez district during the past 24 hours. He added 14 more were eliminated in Shah Wali Kot. Civilians suffered no casualties during the offensive.
But the Taliban claimed that mostly civilians had been killed in the operation.
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