Insurgents among 22 killed in Kunar clash

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): At least 16 insurgents were killed in a firefight with Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers in eastern Kunar province on Friday, an official said.

The firefight was triggered by a Taliban attack on an ANA post in the Cher Gul area of Narai district at about 3am,the provincial police chief said.

Brig. Gen. Abdul Habib Syedkhel told Pajhwok Afghan News 16 fighters were killed and 22 others wounded as a result of the predawn battle.

He said the militants’ bodies were still lying at the scene. Pakistani militants affiliated with Tehrik-i-Taliban and Lashkar-i-Taiba were among the assailants.

He said two ANA soldiers and an Afghan Local Police (ALP) member were also killed and as two others wounded during the clash. Three area residents fighting in aid of the army were also killed

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed the ANA post was destroyed and weapons seized in the wake of the attack. He said the assailants killed 22 security personnel but suffered no casualties.

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