Civilians among at least 10 dead in Ghazni airstrike

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Local officials on Monday said seven militants were killed in an airstrike in southern Ghazni province, while local residents said four civilians also suffered casualties in the incident.

Governor’s spokesman, Arif Noori, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Taliban militants had gathered in Balai area of Deh Yak district to celebrate their victory in yesterday’s fight.

A day earlier, the Taliban killed eight policemen and wounded four others in an attack on a security post in Rubat area on the outskirts of Ghazni city, the provincial capital. Militants had claimed capturing the post and seizing all ammunition there.

Noori said seven militants including a commander named Kash Akhunzada were killed in the attack on their celebratory gathering.

Two civilians were also injured in the incident but their injuries were not life-threatening, he said.

However, a resident of the area, Mohammad Akram, said three members of a family were killed and a woman wounded in the airstrike.

 “A mosque in our area was also attacked and destroyed in the airstrike but no one was hurt,” he said.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said their fighters escaped unhurt in the Deh Yak airstrike.

He claimed five Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed in an attack on their base in Sinai area of Andar district of Ghazni. The clash left one Taliban fighter dead, he added.

mds/ma

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