25 pro-government militiamen killed in Afghanistan

Taliban militants had launched an attack against Afghan pro-government forces in which at least 25 died and nine were injured.

Kabul: At least 25 pro-government militiamen were killed an nine were injured in an attack launched by Taliban militants in Afghanistan's Baghlan province on Saturday, officials said.

"Taliban rebels launched massive offensives on the checkpoints of pro-government militias in Nahrin district in the wee hours of Saturday, leaving 25 persons dead and injuring nine others," district Governor Fazludin Muradi told media.

The officials said that an investigation into the matter had been initiated.

The Taliban did not immediately claim the attack, but recently the insurgent group has stepped up its offensive against Afghan security forces.

The US is expected to open a fresh round of peace talks with the militants in Qatar on Saturday to try to end the country's long-running civil war.