Commanders among 19 militants killed

KABUL): Nineteen militants have been killed and 23 others wounded during operations in different parts of the country, officials said on Tuesday.

Three insurgents were killed and 10 others, including a Taliban commander, wounded during a three-day offensive in the Najrab district of Kapisa province.

Police spokesman Humayun Rashidi told Pajhwok Afghan News three security personnel and two civilians were also wounded during the offensive.

The Taliban alleged two civilians were killed and six others including four women wounded by a mortar shell fired by security personnel. But local officials rejected the claim.

Six fighters were killed and eight others, including three Afghan Local Police (ALP) members, injured during a clash in Kunduz province.

The firefight erupted when a group of insurgents stormed an ALP post in the Pul Mudir area of Imam Sahib district Monday afternoon, said the district chief, Amanuddin Quraishi.

But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the death of only one militant. He claimed eight ALP members were killed in the clash in Imam Sahib.

At least 10 guerrillas were killed in southern Helmand and Ghazni provinces. Three militants, including Taliban commander Mullah airstrike on a hideout in the Sangin district of Helmand.

Helmand’s administrative chief, Mohammad Lal Ahmadi, said Fazal Rahman was equipping two suicide bombers when the airstrike happened.

Another Taliban commander, Mullah Painda Mohammad, was killed during an operation in the Sarwan Kala area of Sangin. The governor’s spokesman, Omar Zwak, said two other rebel commanders were killed in the same area on Sunday.

But Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed many security personnel were killed during a roadside bombing and clashes in Sangin, Musa Qala and Nawzad districts.

Elsewhere, three fighters were eliminated and seven policemen wounded during a clash in the Deh Yak district of Ghazni. The one-hour battle took place when insurgents stormed an Afghan Local Police (ALP) post in Laghabat area, said the police chief, Col. Asadullah Insafi.

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