At least 24 Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban attack

KABUL - At least 24 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed in a Taliban attack in the western province of Farah.

Taliban fighters ambushed the special forces unit that was partnered with local security forces that prepared to launch a raid in the Bala Buluk district of Farah, provincial officials told TOLONews.

The attack triggered a deadly skirmish between fighters from the militant movement and security forces.

Afghanistan has seen a surge in attacks in recent months, with militants often targeting state security forces.

Farah province, which borders Iran, is a centre of opium poppy cultivation in western Afghanistan.

The attack in Bala Buluk district comes two weeks after a similar assault by the Taliban on an army base in the same province.

At least 22 members of the security forces died in the attack.

Taliban fighters are openly active in 70% of Afghanistan, the study found.