Taliban militants killed 30 Afghan soldiers and captured a military base in the western province of Badghis on Wednesday in a deadly resumption of fighting after a ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday. “Large numbers of Taliban came from several directions,” said Abdul Aziz Bek, head of the Badghis provincial council. “After hours of heavy fighting, 30 Afghan security forces were killed and the Taliban captured the base.” Fifteen Taliban fighters were also killed in other areas of the province overnight, Bek said, adding that militants appeared to have carried out reconnaissance of the area during the ceasefire. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
