13 rebels slain, 19 hurt in Faryab clashes

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): At least 13 militants have been killed and 19 others wounded during separate clashes with security forces in northwestern Faryab province, officials said on Sunday.

The governor’s spokesman, Ahmad Javed Baidar, told Pajhwok Afghan News hundreds of rebels attacked security forces and uprising group members on Maimana-Andkhoy Highway in Sahraee Qalah area of Khwaja Sabezposh district on Saturday night.

He said seven Taliban were killed and 15 others wounded in retaliatory firing by security forces. Some other insurgents managed to escape.

Elsewhere, militants clashed with security forces and uprising group members in Qirma area of Balchergah district; however, they faced strong resistance and as a result six rebels were killed and nine injured, Baidar said.

He added as many as 20 security personnel and public uprising members suffered casualties and a civilian was slightly wounded during the gun battle.

Uprising group commander, Haji Hesamuddin, said Damla Yousaf Haqyar—a notorious Taliban commander—was also among the dead. Security personnel drove the militants away from the areas, he added.

But Damla Yousaf Haqyar in a telephonic conversation told Pajhwok that he escaped unhurt and only one of their fighters was killed and three others wounded during the firefight.

Haqyar notified of staging an attack within a week to capture Khwaja Sabezposh, Sherin Tagab and Dawlatabad districts.

On the other hand, Baidar also confirmed the Maimana-Andkhoy Highway was under threat from the mentioned districts, creating concerns for commuters.

A security official, who declined to be named, said two uprising group commanders were also killed and a third wounded by Taliban insurgents, adding a village had fallen to the rebel group as well.

sa/sns

Views: 8