20 Taliban eliminated in Dostum-led Jawzjan offensive

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): At least 20 Taliban have been killed, 10 wounded and 25 others arrested during a clearing operation led by 1^st Vice President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum in the Kham Aab district of northern Jawzjan province, an official said on Thursday.

The insurgents overran the district headquarters 10 days back, with security forces retreatingto the police headquarters, which is located six kilometres from the battle.

Deputy police chief, Col. Abdul Hafiz Khashi, told Pajhwok Afghan News the offensive was launched late on Wednesday by Afghan National Army (ANA), police and National Directorate of Security (NDS) personnel.

Leading form the front, VP Dostum is giving necessary directives and instructions to the security forces,who have once again brought the entire district under the government’s control.

Khashi said the security forces had also retaken police vehicle from the militants besides seizing 70 motorcycles and 19 weapons of different brands as a result of the ongoing operation.

Mohammad Azam, a resident of the locality, said the Taliban had set up bunkers in the area and conducted ambushes, but the security forces had destroyed all of them.The rebels have yet to comment on the fighting in Kham Ab district.

nh/mud

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