18 militants killed, 25 wounded in Faryab blitz

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Security officials in northern Faryab province on Tuesday claimed killing 18 Taliban and injuring 25 more in airstrikes, but the Taliban rejected the claim and alleged only civilians suffered casualties.

WaisAlamdar, commander of first brigade of Shaheen Military Corps, told Pajhwok a Taliban convoy of 30 tanks and vehicles with dozens of militants wanted to carry out military training but they were targeted in Kata Awlang area of Qaisar district late on Monday.

Meanwhile, he said, a Taliban check-point also hit by an airstrike in Doab area of the district and both the strikes resulted in the killing of 18 militants and injuring of 27 more.

Four pick-ups, two Humvee tanks, one Hilux and several motorcycles belonging to insurgents were destroyed in the airstrike, he added.

But the Taliban said government planes appeared when the rebels were conducting training, but the Taliban disappeared soon.

They said no rebel suffered casualties, but two pick-ups and two motorcycles were destroyed in the attack.

About the airstrike in the Doab area, the rebels said shops were targeted and two civilians, Musa Khan and Mohammad Gul, were wounded.

Sa/ma