Adil Shah Adil, spokesman for the provincial police chief said that five other members of the security forces were wounded in Monday night’s attack in Sholgara district. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Adil blamed the Taliban who are active in Balkh, especially in Sholgara. They have repeatedly struck checkpoints there. There were also casualties among the Taliban as a three-hour shootout ensued at the checkpoint but he couldn’t provide an exact number. The Taliban have increased attacks against government officials as well as Afghan security forces even though they are negotiating with a US envoy.