Civilians among 8 killed in Badakhshan

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Four militants, two civilians and as many Afghan National Army (ANA) troops have been killed during an ongoing security operation in the Jurm district of northeastern Badakhshan province.

The operation that began a day earlier in the Dahn Khastak area was still ongoing, the governor’s spokesman, Ahmad Naveed Frotan, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

So far four militants and one ANA soldier have been killed and two ANA soldiers injured during the operation, he said.

He said the operation was aimed at allowing security forces to enter Fargha Manch village, where militants have established their military base.

A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said only two fighters had been injured so far while 12 government forces suffered casualties. Two armor vehicles were also damaged, Mujahid said.

Meanwhile, residents said two civilians had died as a result of an airstrike in the Dehn Khastak area.

Attaullah, the Jurm district development council head, told Pajhwok Afghan News the two were shot dead from a government helicopter.

He said the operation had inflicted huge losses on residents, who could not go to their farms.

The operation in Jurm comes days after seven militants, including a commander, and two ANA troops were killed and five militants were injured during a clash.

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