Ata Mohammad Noor met with top Afghan security, defense officials amid Balkh tensions

AVA- In a statement posted in his official Facebook account, Noor called the recent military action by the government as an attack and aggression against the people of Balkh province.
Noor further added that he was saddened that the government was using military forces and equipment against people rather than deploying them in the frontline against the enemies.
The statement also added that Noor will hold talks with the delegation deployed by the government in the aftermath of the recent developments.
The Ministry of Defense in a statement had earlier said that the Acting Minister of Defense Asadullah Khalid and Acting Minister of Interior Massoud Andarabi arrived in Mazar-e-Sharif city this morning.
This comes as Mazar-e-Sharif city witnessed sporadic clashes and violence on Thursday afternoon due to the circumstances surrounding appointment and introduction of new police chief of Balkh.
The Ministry of Interior officials confirmed that one police soldier sustained injuries during the clashes today and 25 gunmen were arrested.
In the meantime, reports indicate that one police soldier has died and seven others including policemen and civilians have sustained injuries.