Bullets dropped to militants due to bad weather: Raziq

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The police chief for southern Kandahar province on Monday said Afghan National Army (ANA) helicopters dropped ammunition and food in a Taliban-controlled area in central Uruzgan province due to bad weather condition.

A day earlier, the Gizab district chief, Haji Khoshal, said the ANA helicopters mistakenly dropped thousands of bullets to Taliban insurgents in the district.

He said the ammunition included around 25,000 Kalashnikov and machinegun bullets.

However, Kandahar police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq, who is spearheading operations against militants in Uruzgan, said the bullets were not intentionally dropped in the Taliban area but mistakenly due to dusty weather condition.

According to a statement from Raziq, Taliban militants frequently attacked security posts in Gizab district and currently heavy clashes were underway there.

He said the Afghan forces in the district had run out of bullets and food and the ANA helicopters loaded with ammunition and food on Saturday night started their journey to Gizab district despite bad weather condition.

A number of helicopters dropped the supplies in the targeted areas, but only one helicopter dropped them in Taliban area due to dusty weather, he said.

He said he was also ready to go to Gizab district and fight against militants when needed.

mds/ma