20 Taliban killed in Ghazni clashes

GHAZNI CITY (PAN fighters were killed during two separate clashes with members of a public uprising backed by Afghan security forces in southern Ghazni province, officials said on Saturday.

The first clash erupted on Friday night between the tribesmen and insurgents in Aziz Qala area of Maqur district, Afghan National Army’s 203rd Thunder Military Corps’ 3rd brigade spokesman, Nazeef Sultani, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

ANA troops had reached the scene to support the uprising members, he said, adding so far a dozen Taliban insurgents, including a commander, were killed and six others, including another commander Abdul Qahar, were wounded in the clash that lasted five hours.

The dead bodies of the Taliban were shifted to a Maqur clinic, he said, adding the uprising members and ANA soldiers suffered no casualties.

The clash broke out after the Taliban had gathered in the area to attack a checkpoint and the district headquarters, resident Saadullah said.

Another eight Taliban fighters were killed on Friday night during a separate clash with the uprising members in Andar district, where the rebels killed 13 uprising members on Friday, the district chief, Mohammad Qasam Desiwal, said. The rebels fled leaving behind their dead colleagues, he said.

The 13 anti-Taliban militiamen were sleeping at their post in Gandaeer area when the insurgents shot them dead.

myn/ma

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