KUNDUZ: Taliban insurgents seized a police base in northern Afghanistan after more than 100 policemen surrendered, inflicting one of the heaviest blows to Afghan forces since the NATO combat mission ended in December.
The mass surrender in Badakhshan province occurred on Saturday evening, highlighting the challenges confronting Afghan security forces, who are facing their first fighting season without full NATO support.
"More than 100 policemen at the base fought for three days and had enough arms and munitions to continue fighting for three months," Badakhshan Police chief General Baba Jan told AFP.
"But they surrendered after a deal with the Taliban. All the ammunition and equipment was seized by the insurgents."
The deputy provincial governor Gul Mohammad Bedar said surrendering the base in the volatile district of Warduj marked "a big act of treason" that would be investigated by authorities.
The policemen were briefly detained by the insurgents before being set free, with some openly accusing their commander of "betraying" them by striking a deal with the Taliban, Baba Jan said.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the "policemen were released on the condition that they will not rejoin the Kabul government".
AFP
