5 militants killed in Helmand clash

LASHKARGAH/HERAT CITY (PAN fighters were killed during a clash with police in southern Helmand province, officials said on Thursday.

The clash broke out after insurgents stormed police checkpoints in Tarkoshili, Band-i-Barq and Saydan areas of Greshk district late on Wednesday night, the governor’s office said.

Five attackers were killed during the firefight which caused police no casualties, a statement from the Governor’s House added.

Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed killing several foreign soldiers during an attack in the Adam Khan area of the district.

Elsewhere, a local Taliban leader was detained by police in Shindand district of western Herat province. Mullah Hashim was arrested in the Aab village, said police spokesman, Col. Noor Khan Nekzad.

The detainee was wanted for planting roadside bombs and attacks on Afghan and international troops, he said. Police also recovered 50 rounds of 86mm artillery in Rabat Sangi district.

myn/ma/mud