Taliban take blame for Afghan attacks

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 18 (UPI) -- The Taliban in Afghanistan announced Wednesday it was behind a series of attacks on international and national security forces.

The Taliban took responsibility for attacks on a military base belonging to Afghan forces in the Washir district of Helmand province Wednesday. The statement said 10 "minions" were killed and one was captured. Six members of the so-called mujahedin were "slightly injured" during the attacks.

In Herat province, the Taliban said more than 100 members of the local police surrendered. The police force, Taliban statements claim, turned over more than 100 machine guns, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers and "a huge amount of ammunition."

The attacks are part of the Taliban's spring offensive, dubbed al-Farooq. NATO forces were also targeted.

A veteran commander of the Taliban, speaking to British news magazine the New Statesman on condition of anonymity, said the conservative Islamic movement had fallen out of favor with al-Qaida and can't win against international forces.

In response, the Taliban, in a statement, said the interview was "nothing more than a shameful propaganda ploy of the deceitful flailing enemy."

International forces are winding down their mission in Afghanistan as national forces take control over security operations.