Taliban Attack Kills 14 After Afghan Ceasefire Declaration

Fourteen members of Afghanistan's security forces have been killed after the Taliban targeted a pro-government militia compound in the north of the country.

The attack came just hours after Taliban officials told reporters that a temporary, nationwide ceasefire had been agreed by its council leaders.

13 members of the pro-government militia and one policeman were killed during the attack in Jawzjan province - according to a spokesman for the governor.

Five other militiamen were said to have been wounded, with two others missing. The compound is now under government control, after the arrival of reinforcements.

A temporary ceasefire was declared less than a day ago, with the goal of enabling peace talks between the US and the Taliban.

Reports had suggested it would last 10 days, though it required approval from the Taliban chief and it wasn't clear when the agreement was intended to start.

Washington hopes that a potential permanent deal would include a promise from the Taliban not to use Afghanistan as a military base – a move it hopes would allow 12,000 US troops to return home from the country.

But violence has escalated in recent weeks.

Last week, the Taliban claimed it was behind a roadside bombing that killed an American soldier in northern Kunduz province.

The US has demanded a break in violence before any peace deal in Afghanistan, which has seen American engagement for the past 18 years. 

Cover image: A Taliban training camp (Picture: PA).