Casualties as security forces, Taliban clash in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Security forces and Taliban militants clashed in southern Helmand province last night, with both sides claiming to have inflicted casualties on the other.

Abdul Basir Achakzai, 611 Highway Police commander, said the Taliban wanted to storm their post on the Sangin road but the security forces offered stiff resistance and called in air support.

He said 29 attackers were killed and eight others were wounded in the ensuing clash. He said the rebels suffered most of the casualties in airstrikes that followed.

Helmand police spokesman Abdul Salam said police had confiscated three weapons from the clash site. He said nine rebels were killed separately during an operation in Marja  district last night.

He said the security forces had advanced three kilometers into the enemy area and had defused 58 landmines during the ongoing operation.

Meanwhile, a government source aid an airstrike killed a child in Nad Ali district yesterday.

On the other hand, the Taliban claimed killing 10 security forces during attacks in Nad Ali district last night.

ma/bk