Massive attack on Musa Qala HQ repulsed

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Security forces repulsed a massive overnight attack by Taliban militants on the headquarters of Musa Kala district of southern Helmand province, an official said on Monday.

Helmand police chief Haji Wais Samimi told Pajhwok Afghan News Taliban militants launched the group attack on Sunday night.

In the ensuing clashes, he said, up to 85 insurgents suffered casualties, but gave no exact figures for those killed and injured.

Samimi confirmed Afghan forces also had suffered casualties but the exact numbers were not immediately available.

A resident of Musa Kala district, Ghulam Haidar, said the district centre remained cordoned off over the past few days and all shops and markets had been closed. He added gunfire was heard this morning around the district centre.

A local official, wishing not to be identified, said one policeman was killed and eight others wounded during last night’s clashes.

Police still locked in clashes with militants in areas around the district bazaar were running out of ammunitions, he said.

A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, rejected the fighters had suffered casualties and claimed 11 policemen were killed in a roadside bombing on Monday.

mds/ma