At least six members of Afghan security forces were killed in an attack by the Taliban in northern Kunduz province, as per a report on TOLOnews. A provincial council member confirmed the base has fallen to the Taliban. 

The insurgent group attacked the base on Wednesday night in Band-e-Abad district. In the incident, five soldiers were also taken captive. 

Earlier, fightings used to cease during winters due to cold weather and heavy snowfall in northern areas. This year, the situation isn’t the same. The Taliban continues their offensives even in the winter, despite the Afghan government and the Taliban being engaged in the intra-Afghan dialogue in Doha. 

The Taliban’s insistence on fighting even in the winter season shows, experts believe, that the group intends to use violence as strong leverage in the ongoing talks. 

Afghan First Vice-President Amrullah Saleh on Thursday said the Taliban is fighting for power and not for the religion as they (the Taliban) call it. We need peace with a dignity that ensures women’s rights, he insisted. 

Saleh also made it clear that there will be no compromise on the Republic, human rights, and the national flag.