In Afghanistan, at least 25 pro-government militias were killed in a Taliban attack in northern Baghlan province today. The attack took place in Nahrin district at a time when a new round of talks with the United States was due to start with the militants in Qatar today to end the 18-year-long US presence in Afghanistan.<br />'' <br />'' An Afghan defence ministry spokesman said, the attack took place before dawn when the militia members attempted to rescue a group of soldiers surrounded by Taliban militants. He said as they were going to help the soldiers, they got ambushed. <br />'' <br />'' District governor Fazaluddin Muradi confirmed the death toll, adding that the attack lasted nearly six hours. The Taliban, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the attack.<br />''<br />''On Tuesday, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid an unannounced visit to Kabul and hoped for a peace deal with the Taliban before 1st September.<br />