Taliban militants have killed 30 members of the Afghan security forces in an ambush in the western province of Badghis in their first major attack since a ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
The three-day Taliban ceasefire ended on Sunday.
Provincial governor Abdul Qafoor Malikzai said the Taliban attacked two security posts in the early hours of Wednesday.
Abdul Aziz Bek, head of the Badghis provincial council, said one military base was targeted, in the district of Bala.
"Large numbers of Taliban came from several directions," Bek said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Fifteen Taliban were killed in other areas of the province overnight, he said, adding that the militants prepared their attacks and did reconnaissance of the area during their ceasefire.
The Taliban said heavy fighting was continuing and that so far "tens" of soldiers had been killed.
Naqibullah Amini, spokesman for the Badghis police, confirmed the death of 30 soldiers and said the Taliban killed four soldiers in separate attacks on security checkpoints in the same district.
The government also called a ceasefire for the holiday and Taliban fighters headed into cities across the country over the weekend as both sides celebrated the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The government extended its unilateral ceasefire, initially due to end on Wednesday, by 10 days.
