Dozens of rebels, security personnel killed in Atghar fighting

QALAT (Pajhwok): A Taliban assault on the Atghar district of southern Zabul province has been pushed back, but both sides have suffered heavy casualties, officials said on Tuesday.

Gul Islam Siyal, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News around 300 Taliban insurgents stormed the Atghar district centre on Sunday night.

He said the attackers were joined by fighters from Ghazni and Kandahar provinces. Pakistani forces and intelligence agents also aided the assailants, the official alleged.

Taliban had no any achievements in this province over the last few months, therefore they attacked Atghar district to show their leaders that they are active, he added.

He said the militants had failed in their attempt to capture the district, as 28 of them were killed and 23 others wounded in a retaliatory attack by the security forces.

Siyal said four policemen were also killed and seven others wounded in the fighting. However, another official revealed 17 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were also killed and several others wounded.

Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed capturing the district and inflicting casualties on dozens of Afghan forces.

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