KABUL (AP) — An Afghan army official says four members of an informal community defense force protecting villagers in western Afghanistan have been beheaded during a fierce battle with insurgents.
The commander of the Afghan National Army’s rapid-response team in Herat province says the fighting occurred Saturday in a Taliban area of Shindand district. Maj. Zainudin Sharifi said Sunday the defense force came under fire when it was investigating reports suicide bombers were planning to attack a coalition outpost.
Four were captured and beheaded during the fighting.
Coalition forces and the quick-response force responded, killing 10 militants. Sharifi says four of the militants died when they were hit by bullets that detonated their suicide vests.
