Taliban allegedly torch mosque in Ghazni

GHAZNI CITY (PAN after a clash with security forces in the Gilan district of southern Ghazni province, an official alleged, but the rebels denied any involvement.

The district chief, Mahbobullah Sabawoon, told Pajhwok Afghan News a group of armed insurgents launched attacks on local police posts in Bakhtiyar and Azad Qala areas last night.

In the ensuing clash, four attackers were killed and three others wounded, he said, claiming the fleeing insurgents burned down a mosque in the Bakhtiyar village.

Citing locals, the official said dozens of copies of Quran were reduced to ashes in the fire. The insurgents included Pakistanis, he quoted residents as saying.

A resident of the area, who did not want to be named, said the mosque was torched by masked gunmen, who later tried to douse the fire, but failed to so.

A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said a rocket fired by police policemen hit trees in the mosque, causing the fire.

Without giving any figures, he said local police personnel suffered casualties during the clash with insurgents.

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