At least 48 insurgents killed in Nawa clashes

GHAZNICITY(PAN): At least 48 insurgents have been killed in clashes with security forces over the past 48 hours during an ongoing operation to retake the Nawa district from militants in southern Ghazni province, officials said on Wednesday.

Launched on Tuesday, the operation involving Afghan and foreign troops was still ongoing in the district, police chief, Zarawar Zahid, told Pajhwok Afghan News. He said nearly 50 insurgents were killed since the offensive was launched on Tuesday night. However, he had no information about civilian casualties.

The Taliban are in control of Nawa district over the past four years.

A public representative in the provincial council and resident of the area, Juma Khan Tarakai, claimed a number of civilians suffered casualties in the offensive. He said up to 20 civilians were killed when they were caught in the crossfire between security forces and militants in the Zarinkhel village. The dead included women and children, he added.

He also said the dead militants included a commander named Mullah Muhib. He said more than 40 militants were killed.

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