...a city and eponymous province in northern Afghanistan, population about 500,000. Demographically it is majority Tadjik and Uzbek. There are small Pashtun, Arab, and Hazara
...a grouping of Dari-speaking people of Sino-Tibetan descent inhabiting Afghanistan and Pakistain. They are predominantly Shia Moslems and not particularly warlike, which makes them favored targets...communities, of which the Hazaras mostly don't bother anyone...
province.
The 209th Shaheen Corps in a statement said a clash broke out between security forces and Talibs in the picturesque provincial capital of Sar-e-Pul on Monday.
The statement further added that the security forces killed 16 Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...including their key commander Badar during the clash.
The security forces also maimed 17 Talibs including their commander Mullah Mashood.
The anti-government armed Lions of Islam including Taliban have not commented regarding the operation so far.
This comes as the security situation in some districts of Sar-e-Pul province has tanked during the recent years.
Talibs are active in districts of the province and often conduct terrorist related activities.