“They have the ability to conduct operations, they do have the ability to intimidate the local population and they have the ability to have some level of influence”, he said.
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Afghan forces have improved their performance over a year ago, a time when they saw a series of setbacks in their struggle against the Taliban, a United States general said Wednesday.
The attackers stopped the buses on a road and ordered the passengers out, shot dead nine of them and kidnapped the rest, said Massoum Hashemi, deputy police chief of Kunduz.
The Afghan government is investigating reports that the Taliban beheaded two hostages being held in northern Kunduz province Wednesday, hours after several of the hostages gained their freedom.
Speaking to Pentagon reporters from Kabul, Cleveland said the plan will be sent to U.S. Central Command and to the Pentagon, and Nicholson is expected to brief senior military leaders in the next few days.
The violence underscores Afghanistan’s fragile security situation as the militants intensify assaults against government forces after launching their spring offensive in April.
The brief capture by the Taleban of Kunduz a year ago was a major blow to the government of President Ashraf Ghani.
All four confirmed Taliban attackers were killed by the police, Khaama Press reported.
So far, no group, including the Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack. “And then they can also look over and they see the very real fact that they may be integrated back into this country”.
The interior ministry said five civilians and one policeman were killed in the siege which lasted around 30 minutes.
As many as 24 police were killed on Monday, and another 33 killed on Sunday, with almost 40 injured, regional police commander Esmatullah Dawlatzai said.
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Mujahed said the Taliban abducted 26 plainclothes soldiers and police who were traveling in civilian cars. At least three other policemen were wounded.
