4 police personnel among 14 killed in clashes

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Four policemen and nine militants have been killed and 12 others wounded during an explosion and a clearing operation in southern Helmand and Kandahar provinces, officials said on Thursday.

A roadside bombing killed four policemen in the Maiwand district where they were on their way to rescue their colleagues, who had come under attack from militants, police spokesman Zia Durrani told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing and killing of eight other security personnel in northern Takhar province.

Elsewhere, nine rebels were killed and 12 others wounded during a clearing operation in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand, and Greshk district.

Deputy police chief Col. Pacha Gul Bakhtiar said the Taliban wanted to storm police check-posts in Khashkabi and Nehr-i-Siraj localities.

Security officials, acting on a tip-off, thwarted the rebels’ plan with a preemptive attack. . He added security officials escaped unhurt during the clash.

Separately, an eight years old girl was shot dead by the Taliban in Musa Qala district, the town’s administrative chief Mohammad Sharif Khan said.

Policemen were on a routine patrol when the Taliban opened fire at them. Both sides were engaged in a brief clash, which resulted in the killing of Taliban commander Gul Agha.

nh/mud

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