Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in fierce overnight fighting between Afghan forces and militants who attacked several checkpoints in the insurgent bastion of Kandahar, officials said Sunday.

Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in fierce overnight fighting between Afghan forces and militants who attacked multiple checkpoints in the insurgent bastion of Kandahar, officials said Sunday.

Taliban attacked checkpoints in Panjwai, Zhari, Arghandab, and Maiwand districts, says Defense Ministry Afghanistan on Sunday claimed to have killed at least 90 Taliban militants amid heavy fighting in Kandahar province.

At least two people were killed and two were wounded in a magnetic IED blast in Kabul city on Sunday morning, Kabul police confirmed.

US and NATO’s Resolute Support forces commander in Afghanistan Gen. Scott Miller on Sunday said that he “has orders to reduce the US military presence to 2,500” and that “part of this is in line with US-Taliban agreement.”

The negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will return to Kabul Monday, having called for a 23-day break in their three-month discussions, calling it the end of the current round of talks.

Turkey has agreed to assist Afghanistan with 100 million Turkish Lira (about US$13 million) in military equipment for the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces over the next five years plus another $2 million for training.

The Afghan security forces Saturday conducted an airstrike in Arghandab district of southern Kandahar province, aimed at targeting a Taliban gathering in the area.

Kabul witnessed yet another targeted assassination in the city on Sunday when gunmen shot and killed a state prosecutor.