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Taliban Ponders Cease-fire With US, Continues Deadly Attacks on Afghan Forces

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - A fresh Taliban attack in Afghanistan has killed 17
   pro-government forces, even as the insurgent group is reported to be
   mulling over a brief cease-fire to try to seal a foreign troop
   withdrawal deal with the United States.

   The overnight deadly insurgent attack targeted a security outpost in
   Bahauddin district in northeastern Takhar province, a provincial
   government spokesman told VOA Sunday.

   Jawad Hejiri said the post was being manned by a local pro-government
   anti-Taliban militia when it came under attack. He said at least four
   security personnel were wounded in the ensuing clashes.

   Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed in a statement the raid
   killed 21 government militia forces and insurgents did not suffer any
   casualties. Taliban claims are often exaggerated.

   Despite harsh winter conditions, insurgent attacks have seen an unusual
   spike within the past week, particularly in northern Afghan provinces,
   killing more than 50 Afghan forces.

   For their part, government officials say retaliatory military actions
   and counterinsurgency operations have inflicted heavy casualties on the
   Taliban.

   The violence comes as the Taliban's leadership reportedly has agreed to
   observe a weeklong cease-fire with U.S.-led foreign troops in the
   country, starting early next month.

   The temporary truce could pave the ground for concluding a
   long-anticipated U.S.-Taliban agreement on the drawdown of foreign
   troops in Afghanistan to end the 18-year-old war, America's longest.
   The move could also jumpstart Taliban-Afghan negotiations on a
   permanent end to decades of Afghan hostilities.

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