Taliban kills 14 pro-government fighters in Afghanistan

Taliban militants killed at least 14 members of a pro-government militia in Afghanistan on Wednesday, said officials, as Taliban and US officials near a deal aimed at ending the 18-year war.

Government officials said 14 members of the militia were killed and several civilians were also wounded during clashes in the western province of Herat.

Abdul Ahad Walizada, a spokesman for Herat police, said “At least nine others are wounded in the clashes and the Taliban fighters were pushed back after Afghan forces reinforced the area.”

US and Taliban officials are said to be nearing an agreement, after months of negotiations, under which the United States would start to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in exchange for Taliban pledges not to allow the country to be used by international militants plotting attacks abroad.

Despite negotiations, the fighting has not subsided, as the civilian casualty rates across Afghanistan jumped back to record levels  last month.