Heavy casualties inflicted on rebels, claims army commander

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Heavy casualties have been inflicted on militants and a large quantity of weapons recovered from them in an air-and-ground offensive in the southeastern zone of the country, a military official claimed on Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Shaoor Gul has, the Thunder Corps commander, told Pajhwok Afghan News security forces had switched from a defensive to offensive approach. The insurgents have been weakened with the help of the Afghan Air Force (AAF).

He said six Humvee vehicles the fighters had snatched in an attack on Janikhel district had been recaptured. Six more military vehicles including tanks were destroyed in the Musakhel district of Khost.

“The enemy was trying to create security problems in Zurmat and Janikhelo district. But the security forces have beaten them during operations in different areas with the support of AAF,” the commander added.

Gen. Shaoor Gul said more than 1,000 Taliban attacked the Andar district of Ghazni province but were beaten back following a prompt response from the security forces. The fighters suffered heavy casualties, he said.

The militants also suffered huge losses in security operations in Qarabagh, Giro and Maqor districts of Ghazni, as well as Jaghatu, Diamirdad and Jalrez districts of Maidan Wardak, he continued. Some areas were retaken from the rebels.

He recalled the capture of 10 foreign militants in Logar’s Azra district, saying the guerrillas in Paktika provinces had also suffered big reverses. The fighters had lost the ability to fight against the security forces face to face and had resorted to planting landmines.

During a clash in the Andar district of Ghazni, the security personnel killed 255 insurgents, wounded 169 and captured 11 others, the commander said. Reporters were shown weapons, vehicles, motorcycles and other equipment captured from the Taliban.

Abdul Malik Zazai, Paktia provincial council head, said: “Airstrikes on rebels and their hideouts have been productive. Militant movements have been reduced and their important members killed.”

nh/mud