Conflict intensity declines in Helmand’s Greshk

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Officials in southern Helmand province on Friday said the intensity of the conflict in Greshk district had reduced, but clashes continued.

The governor’s spokesman, Omar Zwak, told Pajhwok Afghan News said the Taliban launched a group attack on the district two nights ago and the clashes continued as of today, but their intensity had declined. He said the Taliban had lost the courage to enter a face-to-face engagement with the Afghan forces.

He said the rebels sent four Humvee vehicles full of explosives, but three of them were hit from the air and destroyed, but the fourth one reached its target, killing two policemen and injuring half a dozen more.

Zwak said the security forces had brought under control the situation in Adam Khan area, but clashes in Ab Shak and Sarband areas continued and the forces were trying to control the situation.

The official said airstrikes were carried out at eight places, in which the insurgents sustained heavy casualties. He said security forces had also suffered casualties, but exact figures were not yet known.

Meanwhile, provincial police spokesman Abdul Salam Afghan said 18 Taliban militants were killed and as many wounded in the operations in Greskh district.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said government security forces were inflicted heavy casualties in a car bomb attack and direct clashes in Greskh. He said the clashes were still ongoing.

Greskh is situated about 40 kilometers north of Lashkargah, the provincial capital.

Meanwhile, the governor’s house media office in a statement said an airstrike targeted a Taliban hideout in Zheri area of Garamsir district, killing 19 and injuring 31 others on Friday afternoon.

The brief statement said seven vehicles belonging to the insurgents were also destroyed in the blitz.

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