Dozens of civilians, forces killed and wounded in Farah

FARAH (Pajhwok): Local residents and officials on Monday said dozens of civilians and security forces suffered casualties in clashes and airstrikes in Gulistan and Bakwa districts of western Farah province.

Bakwa district residents said foreign troops carried out airstrikes on drugs producing factories in the district on Sunday, inflicting casualties on civilians working in the facilities.

Bakwa district chief Abdul Ghafor Mujahid said dozens of drugs processing labs were destroyed in the airstrikes, killing up to 45 civilian workers as well. He said the dead also included children and members of a family.

A resident of Ashkin area of the district also confirmed the airstrikes on the drugs factories and casualties to a large number of civilians, a claim also echoed by the Taliban.

But Farah police spokesman Mohibullah Mohib rejected civilian casualties in the airstrikes that he said destroyed 53 drugs processing plants. He said 17 militants were killed and 25 others wounded in the strikes.

Separately in Farah, the Taliban attacked a military base in Gulistan districts late Sunday night, killing three troops and injuring four others, said 207 Zafar Military Corps official Col. Zakria Mirzada,.

But another source said 11 dead bodies and 13 injured troops were airlifted from the base in helicopter.

He said 10 attackers were also killed in the attack.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahamdi said 25 troops were killed in the assault.

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