7 rebels killed in Paktika airstrike

SHARAN (PAN airstrike killed seven insurgents in the Sara Roza district of southeastern Paktika province, an official said on Tuesday.

The overnight airstrike came as insurgents launched an attack on the district centre, sparking a gun-battle with police, the district chief, Raz Mohammad Mukhlis, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

As the police retaliated, the attackers fled to the Musakhel area, where they were targeted in the airstrike, he said.

Meanwhile, the police headquarters said a police official died after crashing his motorcycle on a road in Sharan, the provincial capital.

But a resident, Rahim Khan, said the policeman lost control of his bike after gunmen opened fire at him. He fell from the bike and sustained injuries and later died in hospital, the resident said.

The Taliban have not yet commented on both incidents.

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