LASHKARGAH (PAN were killed and 12 others injured in a gunbattle with police in the Nawa district of southern Helmand province, officials said on Sunday.
The rebels ambushed police who were asking growers not to cultivate poppies in the district late on Saturday night, a statement from governor’s office said.
The security officials came under attack in the Shor Shark area, the district chief, Haji Abdul Manaf, told Pajhwok Afghan News. One policeman was also injured, he said.
Police arrested four militants with a car, three motorbikes and two landmines while 58 farmers were also arrested on the charge of poppy cultivation, Manaf added.
According to the Nad Ali district police chief, Umar Jan Haqmal, they had cleared the western part of the district as a result of an operation.
Afghan and foreign forces often left the area after conducting several operations in the past, complained a local, Haji Rahmatullah. But Haqmal promised that they, unlike in the past, would not quit the area this time.
mas/mud
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