At least 50 civilians killed by militants in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, at least 50 civilians have been killed by militants in northern province yesterday. Officials said that a checkpoint manned by local police was attacked in the Mirzawalang area of Sar-e Pul province. The assailants then entered the village and shot dead mainly Shia Muslim civilians including women and children. 

A spokesman for the provincial Governor said they were killed in a brutal, inhumane way. He reported that seven



members of the Afghan security forces has also been killed, as well as a number of insurgents. A combination of Taliban and Islamic State group fighters including foreigners were involved. He said both are Sunni Muslim militant groups.

The Taliban denied killing civilians, saying that its fighters had killed 28 members of a government-supported militia in the area. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack.