Commanders among 130 rebels killed in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): At least 130 Taliban insurgents, including dreaded commanders, have been killed and many others injured during a recently launched operation by Afghan security forces in southern Helmand province, the military said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference here, Maiwand Military Corps commander for Helmand, Brig. Gen. Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai told reporters that Afghan forces launched the operation in areas near Lashkargah, the provincial capital, and in some parts of Nad Ali district on Saturday night.   

He said some notorious Taliban commanders were among the 130 insurgents killed and many others wounded during the offensive.

During the past 72 hours of fighting only one policeman was killed and no other security personnel suffered casualties, Ahmadzai said, adding he was still busy organising security personnel and a large-scale operation would be soon conducted against insurgents.  

 “Insurgents have been crushed on the outskirts of Lashkargah city and our intelligence activities are underway.”

Meanwhile, 505th Bost Zone police commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hakim Angar said police personnel had been stationed in various areas of the provincial capital.

Earlier there were issues in police ranks but the issues enhanced after more policemen were killed, said Angar, without specifying the issues.

On the other hand, a tribal elder Abdul Ahad Masomi said the government was facing problems because it didn’t pay heed to people’s suggestions.

“People have ways to resolve issues, but the government doesn’t pay attention to them. Currently the situation in Lashkargah has worsened and many government servants have fled along with their families, this itself panics civilians.”

Meanwhile, a tribal elder from Nawa district, Atiqullah Khan, said fighting was ongoing on all fourth entrances to Lashkargah city and the government was unable to control the situation.

“People who had facilities have fled the province but others have been trapped.”

Clashes between security forces and Taliban have been ongoing on the outskirts of 2nd, 3rd and 4th police districts of the city.

Helmand is the most insecure province of Afghanistan while six of its districts are being controlled by insurgents.

sns/ma

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