Panjwai offensive leaves 8 rebels dead

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN commander and seven of his associates have been killed during an ongoing operation aimed at driving insurgents from three villages of the Panjwai district in southern Kandahar province, police said on Saturday.

Panjwai police chief, Col. Niaz Mohammad, said the operation was launched three days ago after area residents complained about increasing rebel activity.

The offensive targeted militant hideouts in Zangabad, Spirwan and Khanjkak areas, he said, adding so far a rebel commander — Mullah Bashir — and his seven gunmen had been eliminated.

He said three militant hideouts were destroyed and several mines found and detected during the offensive that also resulted in the seizure of some weapons and ammunitions.

The police chief said the slain rebel leader was a military commander of the Taliban and had been involved in supplying logistic support to the insurgents.

Local officials said one Afghan National Army soldier was killed and two others sustained injuries during the offensive.

ma/mud

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