Clashes end in Kabul, 15 militants, 8 security men killed

KABUL fighters in the capital Kabul on Monday, said officials.

Brig. Gen Mohammad Zahir, Kabul Criminal Branch Chief, said about 15 militants were also killed in the violent battle, which started on Sunday afternoon, but figures are likely to rise.

Fighting ended on Monday, at about 8 am, after Afghan security personnel flushed out militants in the heart of the capital.

On Sunday afternoon gunmen took positions in an under construction buildings in Sherpoor, Darull-Aman, near the Parliament building, Paktiakot and Pul-i-Charkhi diplomatic areas targetting government offices.    

All the attackers were gunned down after a night-long battle with security forces, Ghulam Sadique Sediqi, Interior Ministry spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said security forces were careful when fighting the insurgents to prevent civilian casualties and the attackers, who had taken up positions, in the Paktiakot area were eliminated by 8pm. 

“The areas are currently under control and Afghan security forces have launched search operations,” Sediqi said, but could not comment on causalities among the attackers.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Ayub Salangi, Kabul police chief, near the Parliament area, told reporters the vicinity was free from attackers and the situation was under control now.

He said five militants were killed near Parliament building, six in Sherpoor diplomatic enclave, home to several western embassies and four more in Paktiakot.

He also said 35 people trapped in the building where Taliban stationed themselves were safely rescued.

According to Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, dozens of Taliban fighters — armed with weapons, suicide vests, rocket propelled grenades (RPG), heavy machine guns and hand grenades — entered Kabul to launch the attacks.

On the same day, militants also carried out a series of attacks across the country, in Jalalabad, Logar and Paktia.

 Mrh/vp

Visits: 2