ANA soldiers among scores dead in Sar-i-Pul offensive

SAR-I-PUL (Pajhwok): At least 67 Taliban insurgents and six others Afghan National Army (ANA) were killed and injured in anti-militants offensive in the Kohistanat district of northern Sar-i-Pul province, an official said on Sunday.

The operation codenamed Shamshir –Do (Sword-2) started on Tuesday to purge the district of anti-state elements. The district fell to Taliban last month.

Lt. Gen. Karamuddin Yawar, deputy interior ministr, headed the operation amid claims that 40 militants were killed and 27 others wounded in the ensuing clashes.

He acknowledged three ANA soldiers were died and three others wounded in the firefight with insurgents. He said that Afghan security forces took back control of several villages and a district.

Yawar said that security forces secured control of Parkham and Peech areas where local population announced support to the country’s security forces.

However, Taliban claimed killing 40 security personnel in the clashes.

pk /rm