22 fighters killed in clashes with security forces

KABUL fighters have been killed in operations by Afghan and foreign forces in Ghazni, Farah and Baghlan provinces, officials said on Saturday.

At least eight insurgents were killed in a predawn firefight in the Shamard village of Gilan district in southern Ghazni province, the district chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Mahboobullah Sabawoon said the dead included five Pakistani militants. The operation that was launched at 2am was still ongoing, the official added.

Locals, however, put the death toll at 16, including foreigners. The offensive was still in progress, said a Gilan resident, who had come to Ghazni City.

On the outskirts of the provincial capital, Afghan and international forces launched an operation in the Qala-i-Qazi locality, said Col. Zarawar Zahid, the police chief.

On the other hand, the Taliban claimed that a roadside bomb ripped though a vehicle of NATO-led forces in the area, killing two soldiers and wounding two others.

Eight rebels were killed and nine others injured during a gunbattle with police and residents in Porchaman district of western Farah province. Maj. Mohammad Ghaus Malyar, the deputy police chief, said the battle was sparked by a Taliban attack on security checkpoints in the town.

Eight of the assailants were killed and nine others injured in return fire from the security personnel, he said, adding residents of the district fought alongside police and forced the guerrillas to retreat. One policeman was also killed and six residents were injured in the clash.

Elsewhere in the province, two insurgents were killed during a separate operation by Afghan police and army in the Khak-i-Safid district.

In northern Baghlan district, six militants were killed in a clash with police in the Ahmadzai area of Dahna-i-Ghori district. Brig. General Abdul Rahman Rahimi, the provincial police chief, said the incident took place after the Taliban stormed police checkpoints.

Qari Musa, a local Taliban leader, was killed during an operation in the Tala Barfak district of the province.

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