93 rebels perish in 2 weeks of Greshk raids, Taliban refute

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): More than 90 Taliban insurgents have been killed and scores of others injured during an ongoing operation that was launched two weeks back in Greshk district of southern Hemand province.

Greshk district police chief Capt. Mohammad Ismail Khpalwak told Pajhwok Afghan News that 93 militants had been killed so far during the clearing operation also backed by foreign air forces.

According to him, four pick-up vehicles, two RPKs, eight AK 47s, eight rockets, one machinegun and some cars and motorbikes were also captured by the security forces.

Khpalwak acknowledged the killing of five security men and injuries to nine others, saying the security forces were able to retake Zunbali and Adam Khan areas and were advancing in Malgir area. “Taliban tried their best to capture Gereshk but they were unsuccessful and faced defeat every time.”

Meanwhile, Greshk district chief Mohammad Salim Radawi said the operation was progressing with achievements in the district, leaving many insurgents dead.

A resident, Mohammad Nadar said: “Taliban’s successive attacks had worried people, but security forces were able to crush them.”

The Taliban rejected casualties to their fighters in the Greskh operation, with their spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi claiming no area was lost to governmental forces. He also claimed the fighters inflicted casualties on the soldiers.

sns/ma