One Afghan soldier, two rebels killed in Paktika

SHARAN (PAN): One Afghan army soldier and two militants were killed in an explosion and a clash in southeastern Paktika province, the governor’s office said on Saturday.

One soldier was killed and two others were wounded while trying to defuse explosives and missiles in the Gadikhel area of Barmal district late on Friday, the governor’s office said in a statement.

The explosives and missiles were meant for use in militant activities, the statement added. Soon after the explosion, security forces launched an operation in the district.

Two militants were killed and another four wounded during the operation. A fifth insurgent was detained.

In Kabul attack, one soldier was killed and two others wounded.

A guerrilla spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said six Afghan army troops were killed and seven others wounded in the explosion.

ma/mud