GHAZNI/LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): A district police chief was among seven other police killed in separate incidents of violence in southern Ghazni and Helmand provinces, officials said on Wednesday.
The Jaghatu district police chief, Manzoor Hussain, was killed along with one bodyguard after their car was ambushed by Taliban militants in Torgan area, Ghazni police spokesman Fahim Amarkhel said.
He told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Jaghatu police chief was on his way to the district centre when came under attack. He said one civilian was also killed in the incident.
A resident of the area, Ali Mohammad, said a clash was still ongoing between police and Taliban militants in Torgan area.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the killing of the Jaghatu district police chief along with a guard by the fighters.
Manzoor Hussain was the second police chief to be killed in Ghazni since Friday when the rebels killed Gilan police chief.
Elsewhere in southern Helmand province, six police were killed after the Taliban stormed their posts in the Nawa district last night, a government official in the district told Pajhwok Afghan News.
He said the attack took place about two kilometers away from the district centre. Three police were also wounded and as many were missing after the attack. The official said the clash in the area was still ongoing and urged a major operation against insurgents in Nawa district.
Helmand police chief Briig. Gen. Abdul Ghafar Sapi said besides the security forces the Taliban also suffered casualties in last night clash in Nawa district. He said the situation in Nawa was under control and local and foreign forces were currently carrying out airstrikes in areas around the Nawa centre.
A resident of Kharaba area, Jalal, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a large number of Taliban militants who were not familiar with local residents had arrived in Nawa. He said several families had fled homes in their area fearing clashes between security forces and militants.
The Taliban also confirmed the clash in Nawa district and said the fighters had captured the Mohammad Amin post after killing 13 police.
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