Commanders among 12 rebels killed

LASHKARGAH/PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): At least 12 militants, including a shadow district chief, have been killed during security operations in southern Helmand and central Logar provinces, officials said on Monday.

Logar police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Hakim Ishaqazai told Pajhwok Afghan News a Taliban Hamid, Zabihullah and Sabir killed during an overnight airstrike in Shah Maza area of the district.

He said another three rebels were wounded in the incident. Qari Obaidullah was involved in many terrorist attacks in Baraki Barak district, he added.

A resident of Shah Mazar village, Ali Gul, said the airstrike targeted a house where the militants had been living.

According to another report, eight insurgents were killed during a clash with police in Musa Qala district of Helmand.

Provincial police spokesman Maj. Farid Ahmad Obaid said another three militants were wounded after they stormed a security post in Gonbad area last night.

He said Taliban also attacked some security posts in Nawzad district but Afghan forces and civilians escaped unhurt in the attacks.

Nawzad community council deputy head Haji Abdul Hamid confirmed the attacks on security posts and warned the district could fall to Taliban if the government failed to take timely action.

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