In Afghanistan, 22 soldiers were killed in an overnight Taliban attack on police checkpoints in northern Faryab province. Head of provincial council, Mohammad Tahir Rahmani said, the insurgents launched the attack near checkpoints manned by police and pro-government militias in Qaisar district, setting off a fierce gunbattle that went on till morning.

The attack comes after some 100 Afghan troops fled heavy fighting in the western Badghis province last week and tried to cross into neighbouring Turkmenistan. Mohammad Naser Nazari, a provincial council member in Badghis, said the whereabouts of the soldiers remain unknown. Nazari said that at least 50 soldiers have been killed in the ongoing battle.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks in recent weeks, even as it has been holding direct negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the 17-year war.