14 rebels, 3 police killed in Helmand violence

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Separate clashes killed three policemen and 14 rebels in southern Helmand province over the past 24 hours, an official said on Tuesday.

Another half a dozen policemen and 13 militants were wounded during the separate incidents since yesterday, police spokesman Maj. Farid Ahmad Obaid told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said four militants were killed and five others wounded during a clash with police in Choghak area of Sangin district on Monday night. The clash broke out after the rebels stormed police posts in the area.

Another four policemen were wounded when their vehicle en route to the Choghak area struck a roadside bomb.

Elsewhere, one policeman and seven militants were killed and two policemen and six rebels wounded during a separate clash in Sistani area of Marja district.

Three more militants were killed and two others were wounded during an operation in Washir district, Obaid said, adding two more police were killed when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle in Loy Bagh area of Nad Ali district.

A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed four policemen were killed in a roadside bombing in Kani area of Sangin last night.

mds/ma