43 Taliban killed, 20 wounded in Kandahar battle

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): At least 43 Taliban militant have been killed and 20 other wounded during a clash with security forces in southern Kandahar province, an official claimed on Tuesday.

Matiullah Hilal, deputy spokesman for provincial police, told Pajhwok Afghan News dozens of insurgents stormed the Nesh district police headquarters late on Monday night.

However, the assailants drew a strong response from the security forces, Hilal said, adding the Afghan Air Force supported the security forces in the district.

He added 43 Taliban rebels were killed, 20 other wounded and several weapons and motorbikes seized by security forces, who suffered no casualties.

But Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, the Taliban spokesman, rejected the security forces’ claim. Only four rebels suffered casualties in the gunbattle, he said.

He claimed the fighters had captured two security check-posts and inflicted casualties on a large number of security personnel.

pk/mud