22 rebels killed in Kunar, Nuristan clashes

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): At least 22 militants have been killed and 18 others wounded in different incidents of violence in eastern Kunar and Nuristan provinces, officials said on Friday.

 Maj. Haroon Yousafzai, a military spokesman in Kunar, told Pajhwok Afghan News that rebels stormed an Afghan National Army (ANA) outpost in Abdul Bari area on the outskirts of Narai district. In the ensuing gunbattle, 10 rebels were killed, he said.

But Taliban’s Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged the loss of only three fighters in the engagement. He said heavy losses had been inflicted on the security personnel.

Separately, the militants attacked a security post the in Abu Naw area of Shigal district at 4:00am. Brig. Gen. Abdul Habib Syedkhel, the Kunar police chief, said four rebels and one ANA soldier were killed.

Six militants were injured in the gunbattle. One wounded fighter was arrested while trying to flee after the firefight, the police chief added.

But the Taliban spokesman said 12 Afghan security forces were killed and their check-post comprehensively damaged in the attack.

On Thursday night, Taliban attacked a police post in the Barg-i-Matal district of Nuristan province, the district administrative chief said.

Maulvi Muhammad Ismail said five Taliban were killed and six others wounded in the fight. Three ANA soldiers, two civilians and one border policeman were also wounded.

But Mujahid said two security forces were killed and three others wounded.

Separately, two militants were killed when a drone fired a rocket on a target in the Dabkhor area of Asmar district in Kunar, police said.

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