6 killed, 33 injured in Baghlan clashes

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Four security personnel and two civilians were killed and 33 others injured during clashes between insurgents and security forces in northern Baghlan province, health officials said Sunday.

Local residents feared further outbreaks of fighting after Taliban militants attacked Pul-i-Khumri City, the provincial capital, from northern side and slammed rockets into the Governor House’s guest house.

Earlier in the day, Ministry of Interior spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants numbering between 30 and 40 staged the coordinated attack in Kolup Madan area but met with strong resistance from security forces and were pushed back.

The attackers fired rockets into the governor’s house, said Rahimi, adding at least three insurgents were killed, two captured alive and five others were injured. Security forces suffered no casualties and Special Forces had reached the area and had launched clearing operations.

Public Health Director Dr. Mujeebullah Habib told Pajhwok Afghan News the bodies of four military personnel and two civilians had been delivered to the hospital. One body could not be identified.

He added 33 injured people were also brought to the hospital including 23 civilians.

Samiullah, a resident of the locality, said heavy weapons fire could be heard in the city and there was no let up in the violence.

Police spokesman Javid Basharat said the Taliban fired at security forces from the homes of local residents in Karkar locality.

Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the fighters captured several security check-posts and military centers and caused casualties to dozens of security forces.

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