Civilians among 19 killed in operations, clashes

KABUL): Three civilians and 16 insurgents were killed and nine others injured during security operations and clashes across the country over the past 24 hours, officials said on Monday.

The operations were conducted by Afghan and international servicemembers in Faryab, Kunduz, Logar, Helmand, Zabul, Maidan Wardak and Paktia provinces.

A statement from Ministry of Interior (MoI) said seven rebels were killed and 11 others, including two senior commanders Mullah Janan and Mullah Hayat, detained during the jointed offensives.

The commanders are said to be relatives of Taliban-designated governor for northern Faryab province, Mullah Alem. They were detained late on Sunday in the Qabza Qala area on the outskirts of Pashtunkot district.

Meanwhile, the ISAF media office in Kabul confirmed the operation, saying two insurgent leaders were captured in the district.

Elsewhere, three civilian and a fighter were killed during a search operation by the Afghan National Army (ANA) in central Kapisa province.

The civilian fatalities resulted from a rocket fired during a firefight between the ANA and Taliban in the Tagab district, Abdul Hakim Akhundzada, administrative chief of the town, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

A fighter was also killed during the clash, Shahin Safi, a Taliban local commander in the area, confirmed. According to locals, a number residents have left their houses for safer places as a result of the ongoing violence in the area.

Seven militants were killed in clashes with security personnel in the Jarkani area of Yosufkhel district in southeastern Paktia and Syedabad districts of central Maidan Wardak.

Mukhlis Afghan, the Paktia governor’s spokesman, said five rebels were killed in Sunday’s encounter that led to the seizure of three AK-47 assault rifles, one rocket launcher, some weapons and explosives.

Two other insurgents, who wanted to attack a logistic convoy on the Kabul-Kandahar highway in Syedabad, died in retaliatory fire from NATO-led troops, said Dr. Muslim, the district chief.

On the other hand, three intelligence operatives and as many schoolstudents were wounded during a blast in the Nahrin district of Baghlan province.

Brig. Gen. Asadullah Sherzad, the provincial police chief, said the remote-controlled bomb struck the intelligence officials’ vehicle. He added the children were aged between nine and 13 years. The soldiers were transferred to hospital.

mrh/mud  

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