6 rebels planting bombs killed in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Six militants were killed in a blast and a police fire when they were planting roadside bombs in the Nawzad district of southern Helmand province, officials said Friday.

Four militants killed and a fifth was wounded on Thursday when the bomb they were planting exploded prematurely, police spokesman Col. Abdul Ahad Chopan told Pajhwok Afghan News.

But Syed Murad Sadat, the district chief, confirmed the death of only three militants in the blast caused by their own explosives. He said the incident took place last night.

He said police separately killed another two militants the same night in Nawzad when they were planting roadside bombs.

He claimed a senior Taliban Asmat was among those killed.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the incidents.

rm/ma