22 insurgents eliminated in Faryab clashes

MAIMANA (Pajhwok):  At least 22 rebels, including three commanders, have been killed and 30 others wounded in clashes in northwestern Faryab province, an official said on Saturday.

Militants suffered the causalities during clashes with security forces in Garziwan district over the last couple of days, the town’s administrative chief, Abdul Razzaq Kakar, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said notorious Taliban Alam, Mullah Mazullah and Mullah Sadaqat were among the dead. The Taliban’s shadow district chief, Mullah Kamal, was injured, he claimed.

Kakar said four pro-government armed men were killed and as many wounded during the fighting. A tank was also damaged in a roadside bombing. He said militants had been driven from Tagabshan, Kikaws, Parish and Qazaq localities.

But Abdul Latif, a provincial council member, feared the fighters would come back after security forces left the area. However, the district administration ruled out such a possibility.

On the other hand, Taliban’s spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi claimed six security forces had been killed and a tank destroyed during Gizab clashes.

sam/nh/mud