Policemen among 9 dead in fresh attacks

LASHKARGAH/ZARANJ (PAN insurgents were killed in separate clashes in southern Helmand and southwestern Nimroz provinces, officials said on Tuesday.

The policemen were killed when the militants attacked their checkpoint in the Panjaw area of Nahr-i-Saraj district in Helmand late on Monday night, a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with their spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi saying that 10 policemen were killed and one of their vehicles seized.

In Nimroz, the rebels ambushed a convoy of trucks carrying fuel for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the Lakhshak area of Delaram district, the town’s administrative chief said.

Khudadad told Pajhwok Afghan News that after the attack, foreign soldiers chased the attackers, killing four of them. He confirmed that six tankers were destroyed, but their drivers escaped unhurt.

But the rebel spokesman said nine fuel tankers were torched and seven guards escorting the convoy killed.

mrh/ma/mud