Security forces regain control of Dasht-i-Archi police HQ

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Security officials in northern Kunduz province on Tuesday claimed regaining control of the Dasht-i-Archi district police headquarters, where at least 15 Taliban have been killed.

Taliban’sdeputy chief for the district was also among those killed. The group had overrun the district three months back.

Col. Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, spokesman for army’s second infantry brigade, said clearing operations codenamed “Storm 10” had been ongoing since Monday night to regain control of Dasht-i-Archi district.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News, security forces had wrested back the police headquarters and continued to advance on the district centre that was two-kilometres away.

Karimi said at least 15 insurgents had been killed so far, including Mullah Abdul Rahim Taliban’s shadow district chief.Three of Taliban pick-up vehicles were also damaged during a helicopter attack, he added.

He said the security forces suffered no casualties and the operations would continue until the district centre was completely cleared of insurgents. But the Taliban have not yet commented on theoffensive.

Abdul Shukr, a resident of the district, welcomed the operations, but said people’s displacement should be avoided since the winter was fast approaching.

hg/mud

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