Forces closing in on Dangam rebels

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Officials claimed on Monday security forces were closing in on militants in the Dangam district of eastern Kunar province and inflicted heavy casualties on the fighters.  

Hundreds of Afghan Taliban and Pakistani rebels launched attacks on the border district, sparking off a string of clashes with a local uprising group. Gunbattles have been underway for a week.

Maulvi Inayatullah, the town’s administrative chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News security forces took control of Kharopati locality last night and established their check posts.

Haji Muzamil, a leader of the uprising group, confirmed security forces had arrived in the area. The locals whose homes were torched were fighting alongside the security forces, he said.

If the security forces took control of Shinki area, the siege of the area could be ended, he believed, urging the central government to provide the forces with air support.

Governor Shuja-ul-Mulk Jalala said 13 rebels had been killed and 16 others wounded during the overnight fire fight.

Separately, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said an operation — led by ANA commander Muhammad Zaman Waziri — was underway in Dangam. It claimed 21 insurgents had been killed and 33 others wounded.

rm/mud