27 dead and wounded in Nimroz gun-battles

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Twenty-seven people were killed and wounded as security forces and Taliban insurgents clashed separately in Nimroz province on Saturday, local officials said.

The Taliban clashed with security forces in two separate areas in Khashrud district this morning, leaving 11 dead and 16 others wounded on both sides, the district administrative head said.

Haji Jalil Watandost said the Taliban first attacked Kotlak security checkpoint on the Zaranj-Delaram highway, triggering a heavy clash with the forces.

He told Pajhwok Afghan two national army soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in the incident, which lasted two hours.  Two attackers were killed and three others were wounded.

A security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the Taliban had taken control of the area.

On the other hand, the Taliban attacked police in Halili area along ​​the Zaranj-Delaram highway at the same time, killing two policemen and injuring four others. Two attackers were killed and six more were wounded.

The Taliban have not yet commented about the incidents.

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