Security officials arrested in Afghanistan

Around 100 security officials in Afghanistan have been arrested over negligence of their duties after the Taliban attacked the capital of Eastern Laghman province, officials said. The militants were able to break through the security belt of the provincial capital, Mehtarlam, on Sunday and attacked the central prison before they were pushed back by security forces, said local councillors Gulzar Sangarwal and Atiqullah Abdul Rahimzai.

According to a spokesman for the provincial governor, the deputy of the National Directorate of Security secret service was among the 100 officials arrested after the attack was repelled. The security officials have been transferred to Kabul for neglecting their duties.

According to the provincial councillors, the Alingar and Alishang districts of the province were also under Taliban besiege, with theroads leading to the districts now blocked by the militants.

The Taliban have already seized control of the Daulat Shah district. The attack on Mehtarlam was a continuation of the Taliban's recent military offensives in Afghanistan. Militants also attacked a military facility in the Guzargah-e Noordistrict of northern Baghlan province, killing at least eight soldiers and wounding at least seven, officials said. - dpa