TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): Joint nighttime raids by Afghan and foreign forces targeting Taliban leaders have been effective in central Uruzgan province, local officials said on Wednesday.
The foreign forces joined Afghan counterpart in nighttime operations in Uruzgan following an uptick in Taliban activities.
Uruzgan governor Mohammad Nazir Kharotai said foreign forces were not only cooperating with Afghan forces in night raids but they were also practically taking part in targeting locations where Taliban leaders were hidden.
He said few days back security forces conducted a night raid in Sarkholez area, killing six Taliban commanders. He added foreign forces were planning to establish a permanent military base in Uruzgan and would soon launch a widespread military offensive in all areas of Uruzgan.
Uruzgan security officials also termed night raids as effective. Police Chief Brig. Gen. Rahmatullah Sediqui said tens of militants had suffered casualties in night operations.
He said they stressed on prevention of civilian casualties and for this reason the security operations in Uruzgan were going at a slow pace.
Rahmatullah Qemati, Commander of the 4th infantry brigade, said several areas and villages were cleared of Taliban militants in the past few days.
But residents termed the ongoing military offensive as unsuccessful and added the security forces had failed to retake most of the areas from insurgents.
Mohammad Rahim, a resident of Chapa Khak area, said security forces had been unable to recapture some areas in three kilometers from the provincial capital from Taliban during the past two years.
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