10 rebels dead in Helmand, Paktika clashes

LASHKARGAH/SHARAN (PAN insurgents have been killed in two separate security incidents in southern Helmand and southeastern Paktika provinces, officials said on Tuesday.

The fighters wanted to attack security checkpoints in Talbi, Goband, Alokozai, Popalzi, Shakhona and Baghran areas of Greshk district in Helmand late on Monday.

Informed by area people, police cracked down on the militants, the commander of 1st police battalion, Col. Abdul Sattar Noorzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Eight rebels were killed, two injured and as many others — including their commander Syed Ali — arrested during the two hours clash, he said.

Syed Ali told reporters he was a bomb-making expert and had organised many armed and bomb attacks in the district.

A local policeman was also killed and another injured in the gun battle, a security official said on condition of anonymity.

But Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, confirmed the death of only two fighters and claimed inflicting heavy casualties on security personnel during the clash.

Separately, two more insurgents were killed during a clash that was triggered by an attack on a police checkpoint in the Warombai district of Paktika province.

Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Dawlat Khan Zadran, said the fighters had left behind the bodies of their associates at the scene.

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