Nine dead in Kapisa violence

MAHMUD RAQI (PAN fighters and two tribal militia commanders have been killed in separate incidents of violence in the central province of Kapisa, officials said on Saturday.

Gunmen loyal to two commanders, Ashraf and Lala Jan, fought each other in Mulayan area of Tagab district, administrative head of the town, Abdul Hakim Akhundzada, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The clash that erupted on Friday night continued until Saturday morning and left three people, including the two commanders, dead, he said.

A group of militiamen had jointed the Taliban insurgents who assisted the group during their fight against rival militiamen, the official said.

A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the clash was a result of a dispute between rival militiamen over ownership of a checkpoint.

The dead included two militia commanders, Ashraf and Lala Jan, and a Taliban fighter, he said.

The Taliban had taken positions in bunkers against the militia men in the area, a resident, Asadullah, said. Two Taliban fighters were killed, he added.

“We saw an injured Taliban fighter being taken to Tajikhel village,” Asadullah said.

Meanwhile, the defence ministry in a statement said that six Taliban militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Tagab.

NATO) said the dead included four foreign fighters.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed they killed three ISAF soldiers and injured six others in clashes in Tagab. Four Taliban and a civilian were also killed, he said.

myn/ma

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