Daily Security Brief: July 27, 2011

GHAZNI: Four Taliban rebels were killed during a combined operation by Afghan and international forces in southern Ghazni province, officials said on Wednesday.

The offensive was conducted late on Tuesday in the Shakoor Qala area of Giro district, Col. Daud Shah, a 203^rd Thunder Military Corps commander, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The militants’ bodies lay in the area, he said, adding four AK-47 rifles, two motorcycles, one walkie-talkie and some explosive were seized from the insurgents.

But Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, confirmed the loss of one fighter and claimed eight Afghan and foreign troops were killed in the engagement.

— Mirwais Himmat

KAPISA: A woman was injured during an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) air strike in central Kapisa province, officials said on Wednesday.

The raid took place late on Tuesday after the Taliban struck with rockets an ISAF base in Tagab district, Abdul Hakim Akhundzada, the district chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The assault resulted in injuries to the woman, he said. Three militants, including Taliban local commander Maulvi Salim, were wounded in retaliatory fire from the troops, he added.

However, the ISAF media office in the province denied the air raid, saying no airstrike had been conducted in the district.

–Bakhtar Safi

KUNDUZ: Three children were killed and five others injured when a mortar shell hit civilian house in northern Kunduz province, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place late on Tuesday night in the Ayee Khanum area of Chardara district, Abdul Momen Omar, the district chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the victims were aged between five and 10. The injured were evacuated to a district clinic, and they are reported to be in stable condition.

Resident Noor Jehan said: “At midnight, we heard a blast. When we reached the area, we saw children lying in a poll of blood.”

The district chief said the Taliban-fired shell targeted a police checkpoint near the house.

But Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said two policemen were killed in the check-post attack.

— Waheedullah

PARWAN: Two policemen were injured during a clash with the Taliban in central Parwan province. The clash occurred late on Tuesday night and continued till morning in the Kafshan area of Shinwari district, said Brig. Gen. Sher Ahmad Muldani, provincial police chief.

–Farid Tanha

TURKHAM: Unidentified gunmen killed the chief toll collector the dry port of Turkham, in the border area between Afghanistan, security officials said on Wednesday.
The incident took place Wednesday in the Batikot district, Israrullah Qarizada, the district chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The toll chief, Zubair, was kidnapped and shot dead while attempting to flee, said Qarizada. He said one of Zubair’s partners was kidnapped along with him, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Ahmadzia Abdulzai, the governor’s spokesman, said that Zabair’s body was found in the Mashwai area of the district. He said an investigation has been launched into the incident.

No one has yet claimed responsibility.

— Sadullah Fatrat

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