40 Afghans killed by insurgents in Afghanistan

At least 40 Afghan villagers have reportedly been killed by Taliban insurgents in Mirza Olang village of northern Sar-e-Pul province of Afghanistan.

According to the police, the Taliban beheaded some villagers and shot others dead. They have also taken dozens as hostage.

"The incident happened last evening in Mirza Olang village after the insurgents seized control of the area. The insurgents, after capturing the village, took dozens of civilians as hostage. So far, no contact has been established with the hostages," Tolo News quoted, Sar-e-Pul governor Mohammad Zahir Wahdat, as saying.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Ministry of Interior (MoI) has confirmed that Afghan security forces are battling insurgents in Sayyad district of Sar-e-Pul where the village is located. However, it did not confirm the number of casualties.

According to Tolo News, the provincial governor had warned that the insurgents could overrun the entire district if the security forces do not retaliate on time.

So far, no militant group has claimed responsibility for the massacre.