Several insurgents killed in Kunar clashes

ASADBAD (PAN): A number of insurgents were killed during a joint operation by Afghan and international troops in the Wata Pur district of eastern Kunar province, officials said on Sunday.

The joint offensive was launched late on Saturday, to eliminate insurgents sneaking into the district from Pakistan)’s media office in the east said in a statement.

A number of insurgents were killed and their bunkers destroyed during the operation, it said, but provided no special figures for casualties inflicted on insurgents.

A NATO helicopter performed an emergency landing during the offensive, but there were no casualties, the force said.

But a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed the fighters shot down the copter, killing all crew members on board.

He also claimed 13 American soldiers were killed in clashes with the Taliban fighters.

A spokesman for Afghan National Army in the east, Lt. Shirin Agha, said the operation was ongoing in Pech Dara area, a stronghold of the Taliban.

Residents said a number of families had fled homes due to clashes between militants and security forces.

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