4 rebels killed in Baghlan, Jawzjan violence

PUL-I-KHUMRI/ SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): At least four militants have been killed and seven others wounded in northern Baghlan and northwestern Jawzjan provinces, officials said Saturday.

Baghlan police spokesman Javed Basharat told Pajhwok Afghan News that two militants were killed and six others wounded during an operation in Baghlan-I-Markazi district of the province.

He said that Mugholha, Abqol and Abobakar villages have been cleared of militants during the two-day operation.

But Sultan Mohammad, a resident of Abobakar village, said that his town was surrounded by Afghan forces and people were not allowed to go out of their houses.

“This is the fifth operation being carried out here. When security forces come here then militants flee to Kunduz and then again stage a comeback when operation ends,” he said.

Security officials had said they would establish security posts between Baghlan and Kunduz to prevent Taliban’s comeback.

Meanwhile, Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed killing 17 security personnel and wounding 25 others in Baghlan-I-Markazi district.

He confirmed the death of two and injury of another three militants during the showdown.

Elsewhere, two militants were killed and another wounded in Darzab district of Jawzjan province.

Jawzjan Police Chief Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani said the clash took place last night in Sardara village of the district. Police and civilians suffered no casualties.

He added that a smuggler along with some 70 kilograms of drug was also detained on the outskirts of Shiberghan, the provincial capital on Friday evening.

The smuggler was a student of Balkh University, he added.

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