Ghazni: 60 rebels killed in 20 days

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Sixty militants have been killed in a series of security operations beginning 20 days ago in southern Ghazni province, an official claimed on Wednesday.

A large quantity of weapons and explosives were seized during the operations in Andar, Giro, Deh Yak, Gilan and Qarabagh districts, the Afghan National Army’s 203^rd Thunder Military Corps commander said.

Gen. Ghulam Haidar Nekpa told Pajhwok Afghan News some of the militants killed included those who had been recently released from prison, saying a number of others were wounded.

The operations were aimed at ensuring security for the April elections, he said, adding militants wanted to disrupt celebrations marking Ghazni City as the Centre of Islamic Civilisation.

He said the operations that involved ANA, police and Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel were ongoing.

Of 400 polling stations in Ghazni, 148 sites have been declared as highly sensitive. Gen. Nekpa said the number of insecure polling stations would be reduced to enable more people to exercise their right to vote.

In eastern Nuristan province, half a dozen militants, including a commander, were killed in a blast caused by their own explosives in the Noor Gram.

The governor’s spokesman, Zahir Bahand, said the Taliban fighters were planting bombs in Sha Langi area when the blast took place, killing six of them, including a commander identified as Hamza.

mds/ma

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