Bombarded Taliban in Maidan Wardak: US forces

KABUL militants in airstrikes in defense of Afghan forces in Narkh district of central Maidan Wardak province.

US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett in his twitter account said, “USFOR-A conducted a targeted strike in Narkh district last night in defense of the ANDSF.

He said the airstrike was in accordance with the US-Taliban agreement,  killing five rebel fighters. “We reject the allegations of violating the agreement and of killing innocent Afghans.”

Based on US-Taliban agreement, US forces can conduct airstrikes in defense of Afghan forces when needed. Leggett rejected claims that civilians were targeted in the airstrike.

However, local residents in Narkh district said the airstrike in Durani area killed three children and two Taliban militants.

Rahimullah, a resident of Durani area, told Pajhwok Afghan News that three children and two Taliban militants were killed in the airstrike in the village on Sunday evening.

Provincial council member Sharifullah Hotak confirmed three children of a family were killed in the incident but said that one Taliban rebel was also killed.

Governor’s spokesman, Sharifullah Sharifzai said five Taliban militants were killed in the attack.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Defense said that 26 Taliban militants were killed and four others wounded in a retaliatory attack supported by airstrikes in Zarakhel, Bedka and Eshaqkhel areas of Sayedabad district and Durani area of Narkh district on Sunday night.

The Taliban have not yet commented on these incidents.

US forces also targeted Taliban positions in Helmand province a few days ago, which the Taliban strongly condemned and said the attacks were in violation of the Doha Agreement.

mds/ma