15 Jawzjan villages cleared of Taliban rebels

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Security forces cleared 15 villages from Taliban insurgents in two districts of northern Jawzjan province, an official said on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Abdul Dayan Andrabi, 209th Shaheen Military Corps deputy commander, said since Saturday night about 15 insurgents had been killed, including commander Qari Naqeeb alias Naqib Jindi and 18 others were wounded during the clearing operation in Aqcha and Khanqa districts.

Five other rebels were arrested during the offensive, said Andrabi, who claimed security forces were able to cleanse 15 villages off insurgents.

He admitted the killing of one public uprising member and wounding of another and said the operation was ongoing as of 3pm Sunday.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban’s spokesman, confirmed a fight between governmental forces and insurgents, in which he claimed nine security personnel were killed and 10 others wounded.

He said the fighters also blew up tanks belonging to government forces. He acknowledged the death of one fighter and injuries to another three.

sns/ma

Views: 9