In Afganistan, 15 security personnel have been killed in an assault by Taliban on two security outposts in western Badghis province. Another 11 soldiers were hurt in the onslaught on Friday.

Ziauddinn Akazai, a lawmaker in the province, said the Taliban overran the two outposts in Bala Murghab district.

The Taliban have inflicted staggering casualties on Afghanistan’s security forces in relentless attacks over the past year, even as the insurgents are talking peace with the United States.