467 militants killed in Kunar, Nuristan this year: official

ASADABAD (PAN): As many as 467 militants have been killed and 100 others injured during almost 500 major and minor security operations in Kunar and Nuristan provinces since the start of the current year, an official said on Monday.

Involving Afghan and foreign troops, the operation were carried out in Bargamatal and Kamdesh districts of the provinces, Maj. Shireen Agha, a spokesman for the 201 Selab Military Corps told a press briefing in provincial capital, Asadabad.

The forces recovered hundreds of light and heavy weapons along with several anti-vehicle mines, he said, but stopped short of giving figures for causalities among foreign forces.

The commander said five Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed and 15 others injured in those operations.

“After international forces are left in 2014, the ANA is ready to safeguard the motherland as it has the capability to effectively respond to any of militant attack,” he said.

However, the Taliban rejected Agha’s claim about the causalities suffered by the militants.

Their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed foreign forces were the most sufferers during clashes with the fighters. However, he did not give any figure for casualties among the fighters.

mas/ma

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