KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, April 17 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan army general was killed and another people wounded following an ambush attack in the northern Kunduz province on Monday, local authorities said.
"Major General Abdul Hai Atahai was killed after armed insurgents ambushed his vehicle in Musazai locality, Khan Abad District in the morning. And one army officer was also wounded during the gunfight," district Governor Hayatullah Amiri told Xinhua.
The deceased general was in charge of Military Operational Coordination Command of northern Baghlan province and he was travelling in his official vehicle from neighboring Badakhshan to Baghlan before the attack, he said.
A pursuit operation was launched against the fleeing rebels.
The Afghan security forces' casualties have risen recently as they struggle against a surge in attacks by Taliban militant group and other anti-government fighters.
The Kunduz province, as well as neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, has been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.
