KANDAHAR (PAN): Police clashed with armed insurgents planning to damage a key road in the Panjwai district of southern Kandahar province on Saturday, an official said.
Three insurgents were killed and two others were injured during the clash, the town’s administrative head, Haji Fazl Mohammad, said.
It was for the second time that the Taliban had attempted to destroy the ring road, forcing residents out of homes to take part in the activity, according to local officials.
But the Taliban have denied their involvement in destroying the road, blaming it on local residents. In a statement, the rebels said the road had been built on land belonging to residents without any compensation paid. Residents used tractors, pickaxes and spades to dig deep cracks in a bid to retain their land, the statement quoted Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, as saying.
The district chief said the insurgents once again tried to destroy the road in three areas — Almari, Charkhab and Akbar villages — on Friday night.
But police reached the scene and clashed with the insurgents, said Fazal Mohammad. Three rebels were killed and two others injured in the incident. Three land mines were also seized.
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