Security forces finally reopen Kandahar-Uruzgan highway

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): Security forces on Sunday reopened the road between southern Kandahar and central Uruzgan provinces after remaining closed for more than a year, officials said.

Afghan National Army’s 205^thAtal Military Corps commander Brig. Gen. Shafiqullah Rasoolzai told Pajhwok Afghan News 36 Taliban insurgents suffered casualties during the operations.

He said the Taliban casualties included four notorious commanders and the operation lasted 12 days.

Security forces recaptured Urdu Balagh, a strategic locality from militants a day earlier and established their posts there, he added.

Rasoolzai assured there was no problem to travel on the Kandahar-Uruzgan highway and a technical team was busy defusing roadside landmines planted by the Taliban militants in the area.

Col. Abdul Wali Haqmal, commander of the fourth brigade of the 205^thAtal Military Corps, told Pajhwok they recaptured Sarkhobi and Urdu Balagh localities from Taliban militants and stationed security forces there.

Meanwhile, provincial intelligence chief Brig Gen. Abdul Samad Shams told Pajhwok the road had reopened for passengers and security of the highway had been ensured.

Abdul Karim, a government official, expressed his happiness over the highway’s reopening after a long time.

pk/ma