News - Afghanistan

Ten Afghan soldiers and police officers including two commanders were killed in a clash with Taliban insurgents in western Herat province after the militants hijacked vehicles full of school books.

The clash happened in Herat's Obe district Monday morning after security forces went looking for the insurgents who hijacked vehicles transporting school books for Ghour province, the provincial police chief Sayed Abdul Ghafaar Sayedzada said.

"During the clash, five Afghan soldiers, and five police officers were killed including the district police chief of Obe, Bismillah, and the acting police chief of Chesht district," he said.

"Eight other police officers were injured," he added.

The clashes continue as the missing books have not been found. Dozens more security forces have been deployed in the district for a "clearing operation", officials told TOLOnews.

At least four Taliban insurgents including the district shadow governor of Obe were also killed in the clash with security forces and another Taliban commander Esmatullah has serious injures, according to the police chief.

There were no civilian casualties during the clash, Sayedzada added.

Obe district governor Najibullah Ahmadi confirmed the clash and said more security forces had been deployed to the district to support the troops.

Obe district is considered insecure in the province with insurgents actively targeting local troops.