29 militants dead in clashes with security forces

FARAH (Pajhwok): Twenty-nine militants have been killed and 37 others wounded when hundreds of insurgents launched coordinated attacks on several security check posts in different districts of several provinces, police officials said Saturday.

At least 450 Taliban stormed Afghan National Army (ANA) and police check posts in Shiwan, Gunjabad and Grani districts of the province, Farah police chief Col Dilber Khan Khakrezi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Two policemen, he confirmed were killed and eight others injured in the ensuing battle. A 14 year old boy suffered injuries in the exchange of fire.

Dr Abdul Hakim Rasooli, director provincial hospital, confirmed 18 injured including a policeman, three civilians, 14 year old boy, a man and woman were brought in to the hospital. The policeman, he said was in critical condition.

Gulbadin, a local resident of Shiwan village, said the gun battle was still ongoing and local residents remained inside their homes. He did not have exact information into causalities.

Ghuasudin, a local resident, said one ANA soldier and three militants were killed and three militants and as many civilians wounded when militants attacked ANA check posts in Dokain and Check-u-Mars districts.

Taliban claimed killing 10 security forces and wounded nine others.

Separately, seven rebels and two policemen have been killed during separate security incidents in northern Baghlan and Faryab provinces, officials said Saturday.

Baghlan police spokesman Javid Basharat told Pajhwok Afghan News four militants were killed and three others wounded when they stormed security posts in Shar and Tangi Murch areas of Burka district Friday night. Two Kalashnikovs were also seized from insurgents.

A number of rebels have recently entered from Ashkmash district of Takhar to Burka district and attacked security posts last night.

“Local residents support government. We have supported Afghan Local Police (ALP) in last night’s fight and defeated rebels,” he said. One of the supporters was wounded in the clash.

Elsewhere, two policemen and as many insurgents were killed in Faryab province.

The incident took place when two policemen were going to Khwaja Musa bazaar for shopping when they came under rebels’ attack this morning, Pashtun Kot district chief Abdul Qadir Qaderi said.

Faryab provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Nabi Ilham claimed a notorious Taliban commander and his brother-in-law were killed during an operation last night.

shah/mds/rm

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