MEHTARLAM (Pajhwok): At least three civilians were killed and nine others injured in a mortar strike in Alishang district of eastern Laghman province, officials said Monday.
Laghman governor’s spokesman, Asadullah Dawlatzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News that clashes broke out between government forces and the Taliban in Islamabad and Shukarman areas of Alishang district Sunday night.
Dawlatzai added that a mortar shell fired by Taliban hit a house during the fighting, killing three civilians, including a woman, and injuring nine others, including children.
A key Taliban member, Abdul Malik, was also killed and several other insurgents were wounded in the fight, he said, adding two soldiers were also wounded in the battle.
Laghman Public Health Director Abdul Hamid Sahibzada said that three bodies and seven injured people had been taken to provincial hospital.
He said one of the injured in critical condition was transferred to Kabul for better treatment.
Hekmat, a resident of Islamabad area of Alishang district, confirmed the fight between government forces and the Taliban in the area last night, but he had no information about casualties of any side.
On the other hand, a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said that the mortar shell was fired by government forces that hit a house in the Islamabad area of Alishang district.
He said one child was killed and four others were injured in the incident.
Alishang is one unstable districts in Laghman province, where Afghan forces and the Taliban often engage in intense clashes.
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